VfL Bochum v FC Augsburg preview: Rock solid FCA travel to relegation-threatened Blues | OneFootball

VfL Bochum

When Bochum beat Bayern Munich away from home last month, it was seen as a huge statement of matching their “unrelegatable” tag. However, Dieter Hecking’s side has now lost three games in a row.

Even though those games were against European hopefuls, Bochum leaked early goals with Timo Horn forced to pick the ball from Bundesliga nets ten times. The results against Frankfurt, Leverkusen and Stuttgart helped fellow relegation-threatened teams to open a gap with Bochum.

With only a single game against a team in the top half of the standings (Mainz), Bochum could benefit from the remaining schedule list. Hecking’s vast experience could also come as a big plus for a team synonymous with fighting relegation.

Team News

Bernardo and Ivan Ordets are expected to be back in the team. Club captain Antony Losilla also recovers from his injury, but the decision will be made after a late fitness test. Kōji Miyoshi is still out with a thigh injury.

FC Augsburg

Unbeaten in 11 games! Six straight clean sheets! Augsburg’s run before last week’s defeat to Bayern broke many club records. Jess Thorup’s men also put on a strong performance against the league leaders.

Cédric Zesiger’s red card was one of the pivotal moments in that game. Although they currently sit in the lower half of the standings, there is still a chance for a late European push for the Baviarians in the remaining six weeks of the season.

However, they will have to win Saturday’s duel in Bochum since they next face Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen. Augsburg’s only continental appearance was during the 2015/16 Europa League.

Team News

Zesiger will be the only absentee for Augsburg on Saturday. Kevin Schlotterbeck and Mergim Berisha could return to the starting XI after returning to full training.