Bundesliga Matchday 28, Saturday, 05.04.2025 at 15:30
Picking the defense will be a task for Sebastian Hoeneß this weekend that only escape room game enthusiasts usually face.
A series of absentees, both suspensions and injuries, will force the Swabian coach to give free rein to his creativity. A new defensive line will not solve the difficulties in the VfB back line.
The visitors’ attacking play is currently being steered by Nick Woltemade, who has developed into the best striker in Hoeneß’ squad in less than a season.
The fans at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion have recently had to endure two defeats in a row for their favored team.
Dieter Hecking’s team have recently dropped from the relegation play-off spot to a direct relegation place.
For my Bochum VfB Stuttgart betting tip, I went through various constellations and decided on the following solution: “Over 1.5 goals in the 2nd half” with odds of 1.74 at NEO.bet
The betting providers’ forecast?
Anybody who has taken a closer look at Dieter Hecking’s CV knows that the experienced manager has developed a soft spot for matches with VfB Stuttgart.
To date, the 60-year-old has celebrated twelve competitive wins against the Swabians – more than any other team in the Bundesliga. Should VfL bag three important points against the cup finalists, you will have placed a free bet on the odds of around 3.20 in the best case scenario.
An away win for Stuttgart sounds appealing at odds of up to 2.22, but should be treated with caution. Most recently, the Swabians missed out on a win in six consecutive Bundesliga matches.
AI prediction Bochum vs VfB Stuttgart: This is what ChatGPT
At this point, of course, the Bochum Stuttgart AI prediction should not be missing. As so often in the past, I went to Mr. ChatGPT’s office and asked around for a Bochum Stuttgart tip.
The AI presented me with the bet “Bochum win with handicap -1” as a high-risk tip. I am not satisfied with this. The odds below 7.00 are simply too low for me given the risk involved.
In the middle tip, ChatGPT recommends betting on a Stuttgart win. This is acceptable in view of the solid odds of 2. As already mentioned, however, Stuttgart’s weakness on the road speaks against it.
The AI classifies the bet “Both teams to score” as a low risk. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, especially as Stuttgart are plagued by defensive worries.
Analysis: Bochum vs VfB Stuttgart
Robin Hood, as the old legend has it, took from the rich and gave to the poor. The Swabians, at least, must not allow themselves to do the latter if they are still aiming for a good position in the final table.
VfL would certainly not turn down a well-intentioned donation from the Swabians. Both teams have recently lost three out of four Bundesliga games. Therefore, neither team should put on their spending pants.
Contrary to their own tolerance, Bochum and Stuttgart have recently handed out far too many gifts and conceded far too many goals.
The hosts have conceded eight goals in their three previous appearances – Stuttgart nine in their last four Bundesliga games.
Odds Analysis
Based on my Bochum VfB Stuttgart betting tip, there are many other options that can lead to a winning bet.
For example, it is legitimate to think about a “VfB Stuttgart over 1.5 goals” bet. Bochum have conceded two or more goals in each of their three previous Bundesliga meetings.
For the odds of 1.74, an odds boost is the best way to boost the value of this bet.
Bochum vs. VfB Stuttgart: Don’t praise the day before the evening
Sepp Herberger is well known to most soccer enthusiasts, as is his quote “the ball is round and a game lasts 90 minutes”.
To all appearances, the players in this match are only familiar with the first part of this statement. At least that’s what the figures suggest.
Bochum have conceded the most goals in the second half of matches in the league (30). The Swabians’ backline has been almost as vulnerable in the second half of this Bundesliga season (29 goals conceded).
In contrast to VfL Bochum (12), however, VfB have themselves scored a huge number of goals in the second half (29). However, the many absentees in the visitors’ defense should give the hosts’ fans hope.
In addition to the suspended Angelo Stiller, Ameen Al-Dakhil and Maximilian Mittelstädt, the injured Anrie Chase and Dan-Axel Zagadou are also missing in defense. Ramon Hendricks and Josha Vagnoman are also doubtful.
Exception or trend reversal?
VfL Bochum have won just one of their last 15 Bundesliga meetings with VfB Stuttgart. However, the only success came in the last home game (1:0).
For a home win, however, the defense of the relegation-threatened Bochum must pull itself together again. VfL have conceded the most expected goals of all Bundesliga clubs (55.17 xGA).
Furthermore, only Kiel (67) have conceded more goals than Dieter Hecking’s side (56). He, like his counterpart on the other side, recently extended his contract and seems confident in his squad despite the dip in form (2 defeats in a row).
Hecking can certainly have faith in one or more points against the cup finalists from Stuttgart. The Swabians (8) collected fewer points than Bochum (9) in the second half of the season.
In addition, only the Storks (24) and Werder (21) have conceded more goals than Stuttgart (18) and VfL (19) in the current second half of the season.
My Bochum VfB Stuttgart tip:
Stuttgart have won less than a third of their Bundesliga encounters away from home (4/13). In addition, the Swabians’ defense (44 goals conceded) is even below average this season (12th).
Since the arrival of Dieter Hecking, Bochum can be dangerous to any opponent, but have not been able to muster the same stability in defense as at the beginning of the Hecking era.
Especially in the second half of the match, both teams (59 goals conceded between them) are incredibly unstable and ready to send invitations to the opposing team.
My Bochum VfB Stuttgart tip is “Over 1.5 goals in the 2nd half”
