Stuttgart vs Bochum Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Stuttgart vs Bochum on and what time does it start? Stuttgart vs Bochum will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Stuttgart vs Bochum? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Stuttgart vs Bochum on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Stuttgart vs Bochum
Where can I stream Stuttgart vs Bochum in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Stuttgart vs Bochum can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
STUTTGART
Stuttgart were indebted to head coach Sebastian Hoeness for coming in last season and reversing the run of results which looked like plunging them to 2. Bundesliga. In the end, they almost stayed up outright and would have done with victory on the last day, but failed to beat Hoffenheim. This saw them face Hamburg in the relegation play-off, where the top flight club showed their class and dispatched Tim Walter’s side by six goals to one on aggregate.
The most important business to be done in the summer transfer window was securing the permanent signing of Serhou Guirassy. The Guinean striker had signed on loan from Rennes last September and made an incredible impact, scoring 11 Bundesliga goals. Stuttgart have since forked out €9m to sign him permanently and they’ll be hoping he can help fire them up the table this season.
BOCHUM
Bochum were celebrating wildly come the conclusion of last season’s Bundesliga, having survived a gruelling relegation battle that had gone to the final round of fixtures. A resounding 3-0 triumph over ten-man Bayer Leverkusen on the last day sparked relief within the fanbase and the entire club and lots of movement has been made in terms of player turnover to try and avoid a similar scrap in 2023-24.
As it stands, three players have been brought in for transfer fees, former RB Leipzig defender Bernardo has been signed from RB Salzburg, whilst Maximilian Wittek was acquired from Dutch side Vitesse for an undisclosed fee. Also joining the club is Moritz Kwarteng for over €1m after an excellent campaign in the 2. Bundesliga for Magdeburg.
THE TEAM NEWS
STUTTGART
Stuttgart fans will be delighted to see Guirassy lining up from the start for the first time as a permanent Stuttgart player, although they’ll have to wait to see new signing Deniz Undav, as he is set to miss out through injury. Key for Hoeness will be finding the formula within his starting line-up that saw him turn around their fortunes last season.
However, the Stuttgart head coach won’t be able to call upon the likes of Josha Vagnoman, Fabian Bredlow, Thomas Kastanaras, Laurin Ulrich and Nikolas Nartey, all of whom are injured and will miss the opening weekend. Bayern Munich loanee Nubel should line-up in goal.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Nubel; Stenzel, Anton, Zagadou, Ito; Karazor, Massimo, Millot; Mvumpa, Guirassy, Fuhrich
UNAVAILABLE: Bredlow (Injured), Nartey (Injured), Ulrich (Injured), Undav (Injured), Vagnoman (Injured), Kastanaras (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BOCHUM
The expectation heading into this first round of Bundesliga fixtures is that Philipp Hofmann and Takuma Asano will lead the line for Bochum in attack, with Daschner providing the required support. Christopher Antwi-Adjei offers up an alternate option up top for Letsch, as does Simon Zoller.
Whilst Christian Gamboa should get the nod at right-wing-back, the left-wing back spot is a harder one to call with Danilo Soares perhaps the slight favourite to be selected. New signing Bernardo could make his debut for the club on the left-side of defence.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Riemann; Masovic, Ordets, Bernardo; Gamboa, Losilla, Stoger, Soares; Daschner; Hofmann, Asano
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
When taking into account how close both these two came to the dreaded drop last season, it heightens the importance of putting points on the board early on. Defensive stability could well be prioritised by the two teams, maintaining their discipline off the ball and not gifting anything to the opposition. For Stuttgart and Bochum, it may just be all about not losing here as opposed to winning and therefore, backing the draw has to be favoured.
TIP: DRAW
