VfL Bochum vs Hoffenheim: Betting Odds & Prediction

Relegation-threatened VfL Bochum host mid-table Hoffenheim on Friday evening as the home side look to climb out of the relegation play-off position. 

Bochum are level on points with Mainz who sit one place higher on goal difference. Hoffenheim secured a 3-1 win in December's reverse fixture earlier this season. Kick-off is set for 7:30pm UK time at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. 

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VfL Bochum 

Thomas Letsch's side have their home form to thank for not finding themselves lower in the Bundesliga. Their average of 1.33 points per home game is a significant improvement on the 0.47 they've averaged in away fixtures.

Nevertheless, Bochum are still winless in their last eight league matches since their 3-2 victory over former champions Bayern Munich in February. Four of their five league victories have came on home soil, leaving them with the eleventh-best home record in the Bundesliga. This compares with their dismal away form which ranks as the worst in the division. 

The Vonovia Ruhrstadion has seen plenty of goalscoring action at both ends this term; Bochum's average of 1.53 scored at home is far better than the dismal 0.73 they've scored in away games. They've remarkably found the net at least once in every home match so far, with 20% of these fixtures seeing them score three or more goals. 

Conceding goals has been a huge problem, though the 1.47 conceded at home is much better than the 2.53 they've shipped on the road. Nevertheless, only 13% of their home matches have ended in a clean sheet. 

Hoffenheim

The away side sit in ninth heading into the fixture with little threat of breaking into the European places between now and the end of the season. Pellegrino Matarazzo's side have little to play for in the remaining weeks, and have just two wins in their last six Bundesliga matches.

One of those victories came in their most recent outing however, when they secured a thrilling 4-3 home win over Borussia Monchengladbach courtesy of a late strike by Anton Stach. 

Hoffenheim have actually fared slightly better in away fixtures this term, but have lost their last three matches on the road coming into the match. They shipped nine goals in those games while only scoring three, with the latest being a 4-1 hammering at relegation-threatened Mainz earlier this month. 

Conceding goals has been a major problem for Matarazzo's men throughout the season; an average of two conceded per match rises to 2.13 in away fixtures, with Hoffenheim keeping a clean sheet in just 7% of these games. They've conceded two or more goals in a staggering 80% of away matches so far. 

Their high goalscoring exploits have made Hoffenheim matches an entertaining watch with an average of 1.8 scored across away matches. Both teams have found the net in 87% of their Bundesliga games so far.

Prediction

Though Hoffenheim have been slightly better in away matches than on home soil, their recent form on the road makes for a worrying read. Coupled with them having little to play for with four matches remaining, a fifth Bochum home win could be on the cards here.

Both teams also tend to be involved in high-scoring encounters, with OddsNow backing more goal-mouth action in this one as Bochum look to pull away from a potential relegation play-off. 

OddsNow's Picks: VfL Bochum to win (13/10 @ QuinnBET); Over 3.5+ total goals scored (6/5 @ BetMGM)