Bundesliga | Gameweek 15

Dec 22, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Vonovia Ruhrstadion

VfL Bochum vs Heidenheim

Match preview

Bochum can be proud of their performance against Union Berlin, considering they were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute and, despite creating four great chances, only managed one in the second half.

Coach Dieter Hecking has only been in charge for five games, but he has already drawn twice and picked up more points than his predecessor Peter Zeidler did this season.

The Blues have conceded six goals and scored twice under Hecking, having conceded 22 times in their previous five games, although they did score six goals in that time.

Bochum are winless in their last 16 league games, losing 13 and drawing three, and have won just twice in their last 26 matches.

The hosts' home record is slightly better than their overall record, having won once in their last eight Bundesliga games at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, but they have still lost five and drawn two of their last seven league matches at home.

Their opponents, Heidenheim, have little to complain about in their defeat to Stuttgart, having created six good chances but only one of their own.

The defeat means the visitors go into Sunday's game in the relegation zone, five points clear of second-bottom Holstein Kiel and a point behind 15th-placed St Pauli.

Head coach Frank Schmidt can at least be satisfied with his side's performance in the Conference, as a 1-1 draw with St. Gallen on Thursday was enough to earn them a place in the competition's round of 16 play-offs.

Heidenheim's draw on Thursday was the first time they have avoided defeat in their last eight matches, a period in which they have conceded 25 times and scored eight goals.

They have also lost four of their last five away from home and have been beaten in each of their last four Bundesliga games away from home.

Recent Performance

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:LDLLLD

Heidenheim Bundesliga form:LLLLLL

Heidenheim form (all competitions):LLLLLD

Team News

Striker Koji Miyoshi was sent off against Union Berlin, and in his absence Hecking could name Moritz Broschinski and Philipp Hofmann in a back-two.

Bochum are likely to stick with the same back three as last weekend, so expect Tim Oermann, Ivan Ordets and Bernardo to start.

In midfield, Matus Bero, Anthony Losilla and Ibrahima Sissoko could all feature for the hosts, while full-backs Felix Passlack and Maximilian Wittek are almost certain to be included.

For the visitors, centre-back Benedikt Gimber is suspended, so Patrick Mainka and Tim Siersleben may be called upon in front of goalkeeper Kevin Muller.

Niklas Dorsch, Lennard Maloney and Jan Schoppner could start in midfield with Julian Niehues not expected to return until next month.

Up front, wide players Paul Wanner and Mathias Honsak are likely to flank striker Marvin Pieringer.

Possible starting lineup

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Drewes; Oermann, Ordets, Bernardo; Passlack, Bero, Losilla, Sissoko, Wittek; Broschinski, Hofmann

Heidenheim possible starting lineup:

Muller; Busch, Mainka, Siersleben, Fohrenbach; Dorsch, Maloney, Schoppner; Wanner, Pieringer, Honsak