Bundesliga | Gameweek 14

Dec 14, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei

Union Berlinvs.VfL Bochum

Match preview

The Eisernen will be bitterly disappointed by their defeat at the hands of Stuttgart, having led 2-0 after 48 minutes only to concede three goals between the 51st and 69th minute.

Head coach Bo Svensson described the result as "difficult to swallow" and was also unhappy with the referee's performance, but perhaps the focus should be on his side's defensive frailty.

Svensson's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven matches and conceded 11 goals in their last six.

At the other end of the pitch, Union Berlin have scored just three times in their last six outings, failing to win any of those games and losing five.

The hosts have drawn two and lost two of their last three home games, although they have won the last three at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

Bochum come into the game having lost to Werder Bremen despite having more shots, more shots on target and more chances to score, but they were ultimately undone by poor defending from a corner in the 56th minute.

Coach Dieter Hecking said that while he believes his side are on the verge of a positive result, they looked a little confused last time out: "There was a lack of clarity, perhaps even a lack of belief. We lost order and structure and, despite our will, we failed to make the right decisions.

The visitors are now nine points clear of 15th-placed St Pauli, the first team outside the relegation zone.

Bochum have failed to win any of their 14 games this term, losing 12 and drawing two, and are the Bundesliga's worst attacking and defensive team, scoring 10 goals and conceding 34.

Hecking's side have lost all eight of their away games this season, conceding 13 and scoring three in their last four away games.

Recent Performance

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:DLDLLL

Union Berlin form (all competitions):LLDLLL

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:LLDLLL

Team News

The hosts will be without striker Andrej Ilic until the end of December, so expect Woo-Yeong Jeong, Tim Skarke and Benedict Hollerbach to lead the attack.

Goalkeeper Yannic Stein has also been ruled out, and his absence leaves Frederik Ronnow as a likely candidate to start in goal.

Union Berlin could deploy central defenders Danilho Doekhi, Kevin Vogt and Diogo Leite behind a double pivot of Aljoscha Kemlein and Rani Khedira.

The visitors boast a largely healthy squad, although striker Myron Boadu is not expected to make his comeback from a hip injury until January.

In attack, Koji Miyoshi and Gerrit Holtmann are likely to flank striker Philipp Hofmann ahead of midfielders Matus Bero and Ibrahima Sissoko.

In defence, Bochum could go with a back three of Jakov Medic, Ivan Ordets and Bernardo in front of goalkeeper Patrick Drewes.

Possible starting lineup

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Doekhi, Vogt, Leite; Skov, Kemlein, Khedira, Rothe; Jeong, Skarke, Hollerbach

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Drewes; Medic, Ordets, Bernardo; Passlack, Bero, Sissoko, Wittek; Miyoshi, Hofmann, Holtmann