Bochum aims to recover from their 4-1 loss to Werder Bremen as they prepare to face Fortuna Dusseldorf in the first leg of the relegation playoffs. Despite their poor performance in the final game of the regular season, Bochum are still favored to defeat the 2.
Bundesliga team on home turf. Slovakian midfielder Matus Bero is expected to rejoin the starting lineup, but Forster, Kwarteng, Soares, Thiede, Tolba, and Esser are all unavailable due to injuries.
Fortuna Dusseldorf, who finished third in the 2023/2024 2. Bundesliga season, are feeling optimistic ahead of their trip to North Rhine-Westphalia. Nevertheless, Bochum’s strong home record gives them the upper hand.
Forward Emmanuel Iyoha returns from suspension, though defender Jamil Siebert is still sidelined with an injury.
Prediction: 2-0
