Bochum v Dusseldorf picks & odds | Bundesliga relegation playoffs

VfL Bochum v Fortuna Dusseldorf match preview

The 2024 Bundesliga relegation playoffs pit VfL Bochum against Fortuna Dusseldorf of the second division, with the first leg taking place at the Ruhrstadion on Thursday night.

Although Bochum were level on points with Union Berlin on the final day of the season, Heiko Butscher’s side finished third from bottom in the Bundesliga due to an inferior goal difference.

Bochum finished above FC Koln and SV Darmstadt, who were related from the Bundesliga, with their places taken by St Pauli and Holstein Kiel.

Fortuna Dusseldorf secured a place in the playoffs after finishing third in the second tier with 63 points, five points behind Holstein Kiel in second, and six adrift of Bundesliga 2 champions St Pauli.

With third place already secured ahead of the final day of the season, head coach Daniel Thioune was able to rest several key players for the trip to Bochum. In fact, his only absentee will be defender Jamil Siebert, who has a serious thigh injury.

Conversely, Bochum will be without Moritz-Broni Kwarteng and Mohammed Tolba, who both have knee injuries, while Philipp Forster will also miss the encounter with a hip injury.

The hosts will also be without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, due to an internal disagreement.

Right-back Felix Passlack is, however, available for selection after serving a suspension.

VfL Bochum v Fortuna Dusseldorf predictions

Bochum are on a poor run with eight defeats in their last 14 games, while Fortuna Dusseldorf are unbeaten in their last 14 games.

Online bookmakers have Dusseldorf pegged as -147.06 favourites to advance, having won three of their last five meetings with Bochum.

Bochum fell short in their last playoff tie, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Borussia Mönchengladbach during the 2010/11 campaign.

Meanwhile, Dusseldorf Fortuna have plenty of experience in the Bundesliga playoffs, as they are one of only three teams to have gained promotion in the last 15 playoffs.

Dusseldorf have the form and attacking strength to gain the advantage ahead of the second leg next week.

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