SC Freiburg vs Bochum
Bundesliga
Saturday
21st October 2023
Europa-Park Stadion
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Bundesliga gameweek 8 fixture between SC Freiburg and Bochum.
SC Freiburg vs Bochum: Preview
SC Freiburg form analysis
Freiburg have shown signs of inconsistency during this recent run of Bundesliga matches. They began the period by suffering an emphatic 0-5 home defeat to Stuttgart, looking defensively fragile against Stuttgart’s attacking threat. However, Freiburg responded well the following week by pushing Borussia Dortmund close in a high scoring 2-4 loss, with Höler and Höfler grabbing their goals. Next up was a solid 0-0 home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt where they displayed good organization. Freiburg returned to winning ways against Augsburg, grinding out a 2-0 victory thanks to Grifo’s penalty and Lienhart’s strike. But defensive issues resurfaced in their last game as they lost 0-3 at home to Bayern Munich.
Overall, Freiburg have struggled to find consistency in this spell under Christian Streich. At their best they have shown resilience and attacking threat, but defensive lapses have undermined them. The heavy loss to start this run seems to have knocked confidence. A top half finish is still very possible. but they need to improve defensive cohesion and cut out individual errors. The talent is there, but Freiburg must regain stability and momentum after a mixed period.
Bochum form analysis
Bochum’s recent Bundesliga form shows a team struggling for consistency and defensive solidity. They started fairly well by holding Augsburg to a 2-2 home draw, with Asano scoring both goals to earn a point. However, their fragility at the back was exposed in a 1-1 draw at home to Frankfurt, needing a late penalty to equalize. Things got drastically worse as they were thrashed 0-7 by Bayern Munich, utterly demolished by Bayern’s relentless attacking.
After that heavy beating, Bochum lost again at home 1-3 to Gladbach after going down 0-3 in the first half. Asano managed a consolation goal but the defense remained far too porous. To their credit, Bochum stopped the rot with a resolute 0-0 draw away at Leipzig before the international break. While still winless in their last 4, they at least showed defensive steel.
In summary, Bochum have badly struggled for form, especially defensively. Conceding 15 goals in their last 4 games points to glaring issues at the back. However, Asano has impressed by scoring 3 of their 4 goals in this period. Manager Thomas Letsch has a major task to shore up the defense and instill greater organization. If he can make them tougher to break down, Bochum have enough attacking threat from Asano and others to move up the table. But improving their defensive record is critical.
