- Team position: Karlsruher SC sit ninth in the 2. Bundesliga (44 points from 33 games), while VfL Bochum are tenth (41 points from 33).
- Recent form: Karlsruher SC’s last five games have seen them win twice, draw once, and lose twice.
- Away form: VfL Bochum have failed to win their last two away games (1 draw, 1 loss).
An interesting tactical battle awaits at the Wild Park
Match plan
Karlsruher SC will try to break Bochum’s defensive lines in an open match on Sunday, as Uwe Rösler’s men are set to sit back and try to hit on the counter-attack.
Home advantage and style
Christian Eichner’s men have been in solid form at home this season, winning nine, drawing three and losing just four of their 16 home games, and their possession-based style suits the circumstances of playing in front of their own fans.
Karlsruher SC like to play a structured, patient game, building from the back and overloading the centre of the field in a bid to create chances in the attacking third, while Bochum will set up with a compact shape and look to hit their opponents on the break.
Back the hosts to edge a high-scoring game
The hosts should be favoured to win on Sunday as Bochum have won just two of their 16 away games this season.
Karlsruher SC’s odds of 2.53 are too good to pass up, especially considering their fine recent record against Bochum (1 win, 1 draw from last 2) and the fact that they can be trusted to keep up their end of the bargain at home.
- An open game is almost guaranteed as both sides will attempt to impose their game plan on the match, so the goals should come on Sunday.
- Karlsruher SC concede an average of 1.69 goals per home game, while Bochum have scored 17 times in 16 road trips this term, so over 2.5 goals at 1.3 is also my selection.
- Both teams to score - Yes is also priced at 1.3, and I think the bet is a sure thing for this one as the two sides look to outmaneuver one another.
Rösler’s Bochum can counter well
Both sides possess the personnel to cause each other problems on Sunday, as Marvin Wanitzek has netted 15 times in 33 league games for Karlsruher SC this term and Shio Fukuda has scored three goals in his last five appearances.
In contrast, Philipp Hofmann has 12 goals in 31 league appearances for Bochum this campaign and has three in his last five.
Uwe Rösler has done a fine job of making Bochum a tough side to break down since taking over in October, while his side are also capable of counter-attacking with pace and precision when they win the ball back.
