Bundesliga | Gameweek 20

Feb 1, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Vonovia Ruhrstadion

VfL Bochum vs Freiburg

Match preview

After beating St. Pauli and coming from three goals down to claim a point against Leipzig, Bochum might have sensed an opportunity against an out-of-form Borussia Monchengladbach, but any optimism was quickly dashed as they suffered a sobering 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Foals.

Rocco Reitz's opener, Robin Hack's opener and Tim Kleindienst's late strike four minutes from time left Dieter Hecking's men with nowhere to go and a 13th league defeat of the campaign.

Since returning to the top flight in 2021-22, the Blues have eased closer to the drop with each passing season - finishing 13th, then 14th, before narrowly surviving relegation through the play-offs after finishing 16th last term - and now, rooted to the bottom, they find themselves on the same downward trajectory.

A disastrous run in the first half of the season was a major factor in Bochum's current predicament, as they failed to win in their first 14 games before winning two of their next three, but after a run of consecutive games without success, they look set for another prolonged drought unless something changes.

Looking to reverse their fortunes, starting with this weekend's clash, Die Unabsteigbaren can take confidence from their improved return to the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, where they have taken seven points from a possible nine in their last outing, having taken just two from their previous six.

Meanwhile, Freiburg's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in a difficult run of fixtures that has seen them suffer defeats in each of their last three games, with humiliating 4-1 and 4-0 defeats at Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively before a 2-1 loss to leaders Bayern Munich last time out.

Julian Schuster's side have slipped to 10th on 27 points, four behind sixth-placed Mainz 05, who occupy the final European spot.

Freiburg's recent struggles can be attributed to their vulnerability at the back, where they have conceded a league-high 12 goals in 2025, taking their total to 36 and giving them the fifth worst defensive record in the league.

The Breisgau-Brazilians can take heart from the fact that they face a less intimidating opponent in Bochum, who have scored the second-fewest goals (17) and conceded the second-most (43).

Freiburg will also be buoyed by their dominance in this fixture, having won each of the last six meetings - their longest winning streak against a team currently in the Bundesliga.

Team News

Bochum have no injury concerns, and Matus Bero is expected to return to the side this weekend to take his place in midfield after missing the last game through suspension.

Myron Baodu was unable to repeat his fine hat-trick performance against Leipzig, firing blanks last time out, and will be hoping to rediscover his goalscoring touch on Saturday.

On the visitors' side, Lukas Kubler will be absent as he serves his suspension for one booking too many on the sidelines, opening the door for Kiliann Sildillia to potentially fill the void at right-back.

Freiburg will also be without Max Rosenfelder (muscle), Florent Muslija (ankle), Patrick Osterhage (muscle) and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, all of whom are expected to return in February.

Meanwhile, Bruno Ogbus has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an acute cruciate ligament injury in December.

Possible starting lineup

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Drewes; Bernardo, Ordets, Medic; Sissoko, Bero, Wittek, Passlack; De Wit; Boadu, Hofmann

Freiburg possible starting lineup:

Atubolu; Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo; Eggestein, Hoefler; Doan, Dinkci, Rohl; Holer