St Pauli vs Bochum Preview: Team News & Prediction
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St Pauli have been very impressive in their first season following their promotion to the top-flight last year as the Hamburg-based outfit now take on relegated Bochum at the Millerntor.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports OR Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go OR Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
St Pauli preview: St Pauli staying up
Coached by former Royale Union Saint-Gilloise boss Alexander Blessin, who replaced Brighton and Hove Albion-bound Fabian Hurzeler following their promotion last season, St Pauli have more or less secured their survival in the top-flight of German football.
They begin the final day of the weekend sitting three points clear of Heidenheim, who occupy the end of season promotion/relegation playoff place, but it would require a 13-goal swing for the hosts to slide beneath Heidenheim.
Bochum preview: Rock-bottom Bochum
Bochum gained promotion to the top-flight in the 2022/23 campaign and they managed to stave off relegation at the back end of last season by defeating Hamburg in the aforementioned relegation playoff – and they have not gotten away with it this time around.
The visitors head into the final match day of the campaign sitting ten points adrift of safety. Bochum come into this one on the back of a 4-1 demolition at the hands of top six contenders Mainz at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion last weekend.
St Pauli team news: Several issues
Ahead of the visit off Leipzig, St Pauli are dealing with a few issues such as Estonia international defender Karol Mets and Australia international midfielder Jackson Irvine. Top scorer Morgan Guilavogui is also a doubt for the hosts.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Voll; Nemeth, Wahl, Ritzka; Saliakas, Boukhalfa, Smith, Treu; Metcalfe, Afolayan; Sinani
Unavailable: Mets (Injured), Irvine (Injured), Sands (Injured), Saad (Injured)
Questionable: Guilavogui (Injured)
Bochum team news: Couple of injuries
As they make the trip to Hamburg this weekend, Bochum are dealing with a couple of injury issues as former Birmingham City winger Koji Miyoshi is a doubt, whilst key attacker Philipp Hofmann is a confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI (3-1-4-2): Horn; Oermann, Ordets, Bernardo; Krauss; Passlack, Wittek, Bero, Sissoko; Boadu, Masouras
Unavailable: Hofmann (Injured)
Questionable: Miyoshi (Injured)
St Pauli vs Bochum prediction
St Pauli head into this one knowing their status as a Bundesliga outfit is all but secured after an entertaining two draw with top four contenders Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. They will want to finish their season with a flourish ahead of welcoming their arch-rivals Hamburg to the Bundesliga for next season. Bochum are themselves finishing with a bit of a whimper and St Pauli, especially with home advantage are firm favourites for this one.
St Pauli vs Bochum tip: St Pauli to win
