Bochum vs. Heidenheim preview: Relegation rivals face off

Bochum

Bochum are still searching for their first win of the Bundesliga campaign, having drawn three and lost 11 of their 14 league matches this season. Dieter Hecking has overseen two of those draws in his five matches in the Bochum dugout, including a 1-1 scoreline in last Saturday’s away clash with Union Berlin. Hecking’s side were reduced to 10 men in the opening stages at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei following Koji Miyoshi’s 13th-minute red card. Despite that setback, Bochum managed to take the lead through Ibrahima Sissoko, who scored his first goal since joining the club in the summer. Union’s Benedict Hollerbach restored parity before the half-time interval, but Bochum ultimately stood firm in the second period to leave the capital with a point. 

While they would have taken some encouragement from that result, Bochum need to start picking up wins if they are to avoid relegation this season. Die Unabsteigbaren will head into the final game of 2024 with seven points separating them from Heidenheim in the relegation playoff spot.

The basement side are currently the Bundesliga’s joint-lowest scorers along with St. Pauli after mustering 11 goals in 14 league games. Meanwhile, they also have the second-worst defensive record with 35 goals conceded in the top-flight this term, highlighting their need to improve at both ends of the pitch if they are to spark an upturn in fortunes. 

Team News

Miyoshi will serve the first game of a two-match ban after being shown a straight red card against Union last weekend. 

Heidenheim

Heidenheim have struggled to balance the demands of the Bundesliga with their first-ever European campaign. Frank Schmidt’s side finished in 16th place in the Conference League league phase after they played out a 1-1 draw with St. Gallen in midweek. But while they will be pleased to be in the Conference League knockout rounds, they will be disappointed with their current position in the Bundesliga table. 

Heidenheim are currently languishing in the relegation playoff spot after losing eight of their last nine league games, including a 3-1 defeat in last Sunday’s home clash with Stuttgart. Goals from Maximilian Mittelstädt, Enzo Millot and Nick Woltemade condemned Heidenheim to their sixth consecutive league defeat, leaving one point adrift of safety ahead of their final outing of 2024. 

Having conceded at least three goals in their last five league games, Heidenheim will be hoping to produce an improved defensive display in Sunday’s away fixture. The visitors have struggled in recent games against Bochum, having failed to win any of their previous seven competitive meetings (D2, L5). As a result, Heidenheim are searching for their first win over Bochum since recording a 3-2 victory in September 2018.

Team News

Julian Niehues remains unavailable for selection as he continues to work on his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Meanwhile, Benedikt Gimber will serve a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.