Fortuna Dusseldorf v VFL Bochum

Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Bochum Preview

Fortuna Dusseldorf find themselves in a commanding position ahead of Monday night's Bundesliga play-off 2nd leg as the German second tier hosts hold a 3-0 lead over their Bundesliga top flight visitors Bochum ahead of this return leg at the Düsseldorf Arena with the hosts just needing to avoid defeat by three goals or more, while Bochum are now expected to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at their hosts in order to save their top flight skins.

Not many people would have predicted a comprehensive 3-0 win away from home in the recent 1st leg tie at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion for Bundesliga 2 outfit Fortuna Dusseldorf but that was exactly what Daniel Thioune's side achieved on Thursday night and now the hosts return to their Düsseldorf Arena where they'll be looking to finish the job in hand.

Fortuna Dusseldorf bring an impressive and solid eight-match unbeaten sequence into this upcoming clash which consists of six wins and just two draws; four of these six wins have been registered on home soil with victories gained over Eintracht Braunschweig, Greuther Furth, Nurnberg and Magdeburg respectively.

The bigger picture shows Fortuna Dusseldorf have been dealt just two defeats in their last 17 matches overall, while the hosts have also collected six wins from their last seven home games.

Bochum have no alternative than to not only go all-out for the win here on Monday night but the visitors also need to score at least three unanswered goals if they are to take this 2nd leg into extra-time and then perhaps take their chances in extra-time or penalties.

Nevertheless, it looks a long way back for Heiko Butscher's Bochum side as they trail their second tier opponents by a disappointing and comprehensive three-goal margin following Thursday night's implosion at their Vonovia Ruhrstadion.

Bochum have now conceded a total of 12 goals in their last three games overall which have unsurprisingly ended in defeat on each occasion, losing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen 5-0, Werder Bremen 4-1 and of course Thursday's disastrous 3-0 loss to Fortuna Dusseldorf.

The wider picture shows Bochum have managed to capture just two wins out of their last 13 matches overall whilst also slipping to nine defeats in the process as well, so Bochum's prospects for this return leg do not look very promising.

However, the goals market appeals here as 10 of Bochum's last 13 games have resulted in Over 2.5 goals and further goals look likely here on Monday night.

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Bochum Verdict

Fortuna Dusseldorf are seemingly sitting pretty but the hosts will be bracing themselves for a possible Bochum onslaught as the visitors have no choice but to attack from the kick-off.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.75

Other side bets worth considering:

Fortuna Dusseldorf win @ 2.20

Correct Score: Fortuna Dusseldorf 2-1 @ 9.00