Bochum come into this one off the back of a 0-0 draw with Sheffield United in a friendly at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. That tells us two things: they can keep a clean sheet, and they haven't been firing in front of goal. Pre-season is about rhythm, not results, but a goalless outing against a Premier League side suggests a solid defensive shape and a bit of rust up top. The Ruhrstadion is a proper bear pit — compact, loud, and the kind of place where visiting teams feel the squeeze. Bochum will be desperate to start the 2. Bundesliga campaign with a statement after last season's relegation hurt.

Hertha, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Mamelodi Sundowns in their own friendly at the Olympiastadion. That's a decent result against a decent African side, but it also shows they're not exactly blowing teams away. The big question for Hertha is always the same: can they handle the physical, high-tempo stuff that German second-tier sides throw at them? They've got quality in the squad — that's never been the issue. It's the fight, the second balls, the ugly side of the game. And that's exactly what Bochum will bring in spades. Neither side has shown explosive form, but Bochum's defensive solidity in that recent friendly gives them the edge in a game that could be tight and scrappy.