Bitesize Prediction: Bochum vs Mainz – 27/10/23

Competition: Bundesliga

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 2/3 @ Pribet

In a showdown between two sides who are scrapping it out at the foot of the Bundesliga table, Bochum will welcome Mainz to the Vonovia-Ruhrstadion on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Bochum might have shocked many across Germany’s elite last season as they cruised their way to Bundesliga safety, Thomas Letsch’s men have certainly come crashing back down to earth this time around. Marking their return from October’s international break with another downbeat performance last weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 loss away at Freiburg, the Blues are rightfully seen as a leading relegation scrapper this time around. Signing off September with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Borussia Monchengladbach, fans around the Vonovia-Ruhrstadion are still waiting on their side to put in a first Bundesliga victory on the board. Remarkably mustering just a pair of points from any of their opening eight top-flight showdowns, Bochum have also gained a real reputation for their rather glaring struggles at the back. Already shipping 22 Bundesliga strikes, it is worth highlighting that Letsch’s squad have seen each of their first four home fixtures finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet.

As for the visitors, also gaining plenty of plaudits last season as they claimed a top-half finish, Mainz find themselves in an almost identical position to Friday’s opponents. Last seen marking their return from October’s international break with a routine 3-1 loss at home against Bayern Munich, Bo Svensson’s side have collected just four points from their first eight Bundesliga appearances and have also failed to claim a single top-flight victory. Opening the new campaign with a 4-1 loss at the hands of a struggling Union Berlin back on August 20th, the Carnival Club have also shown their own rather glaring defensive issues. Including a 3-1 loss at home against Stuttgart last month, Mainz are yet to muster a Bundesliga clean sheet. Knowing that they face a must-win showdown when they arrive at the Vonovia-Ruhrstadion last weekend, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable battle on Friday night. It is worth noting, with Svensson’s men seeing four of their previous five Bundesliga contests finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Bet: Both teams to score at Bochum vs Mainz 2/3 for Friday’s Bundesliga battle @ Pribet