German 2.Bundesliga
2025-12-20 - VfL Bochum vs Karlsruher SC
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football; Germany: 2.Bundesliga
Vonovia Ruhrstadion – Bochum
Saturday, 20th December 2025 - kickoff 13:00 CET
VfL Bochum
VfL Bochum have quietly been trending upward in the 2.Bundesliga. They won four of their last six league games, showing really good displays after a difficult start to the season.
Their climb from a bottom-side position into mid-table suggests the confidence is growing within the squad.
Last week’s goalless draw with Hannover 96 extended VfL Bochum’s unbeaten run to three games (two wins, one draw), and their home form has noticeably improved — with three wins in their last four at the Ruhrstadion.
Karlsruher SC
It’s good that winter break is coming because Karlsruher SC looks completely lost. They suffered five defeats in a row before this game, most recently 0-4 at home to SC Paderborn last week.
On top of that, their top attacking midfielder Fabian Schleusener (7 goals, two assists) and regular centre-back Marcel Franke both received red cards in last week’s humiliation and are suspended.
Karlsruher SC is the second-worst away team in the 2.Bundesliga, winning only once in eight trips, losing all their last three away games.
Across their recent runs, games involving Karlsruher SC have tended to be high-scoring, with nine straight 2.5+ goal games, but that’s as much a sign of defensive fragility as attacking intent. They conceded 3+ in each of their last five games, which sums up how terrible their defence is.
The Betting Verdict
VfL Bochum look like the more settled side right now, especially at home, where their performances have picked up noticeably (three wins in four matches).
Karlsruher SC arrive in the worst 2.Bundesliga shape, short on confidence and missing key players, and it’s hard to see them suddenly fixing those problems away from home, in the last game of the year.
If VfL Bochum stay patient and play to their recent standards, this feels like a game they should control. Karlsruher SC’s habit of conceding goals suggests chances will come, and while the visitors might score, the overall balance still favours the hosts.
VfL Bochum to win looks the strongest angle, with over 2.5 goals also fitting a matchup that’s consistently produced open, high-scoring games.
The Pick :
VfL Bochum 2-1 Karlsruher SC
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take VfL Bochum to win at odds of 1.80 with BetFred
