Bochum is struggling in the Bundesliga, having failed to secure a win in their last four games (D2, L2). They sit precariously just two points above the relegation zone after a humiliating 5-1 defeat at home to Wolfsburg – their fourth loss by at least four goals this season.
While their 27-point haul this term is nine points fewer than at the same stage last season, only three teams in the last seven seasons have been relegated with as many or more points, providing some comfort for the team.
Despite ending the first half of the season with three straight home wins and two more upon its return, Bochum’s performance at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion has faltered when it matters most. The recent loss to Wolfsburg marks their fourth Bundesliga defeat from their last five home games, along with a DFB-Pokal defeat to Borussia Dortmund back in February.
Their last competitive home win against Dortmund was in 2007, and since then, they’ve only managed two draws and three defeats.
Meanwhile, Dortmund currently leads the Bundesliga after a crushing 4-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt continued their impressive league streak this year (W11, D2, L1). The last time they were leading after 29 matchdays was in the 2011/12 season, which they went on to win.
History also favors Dortmund, as Schalke was the last leader at this point not to win the championship back in 2006/2007.
However, if Dortmund wants to maintain their lead, they must improve their away form. In their last five away games in all competitions, they haven’t won any (D2, L3), conceding at least twice in each of those games. Their defense is clearly an issue, as evident from these results.
Two players to watch are Moritz Broschinski and Donyell Malen. Broschinski was Bochum’s last home scorer, with both of his Bundesliga goals this season coming off the bench at home.
Meanwhile, Malen has scored in his last five Bundesliga games, netting twice against Frankfurt last round – his first league double since February 2021 when he played for PSV.
Dortmund has scored first in eight of their 15 away league games, with only one loss (W5, D2, L1).