When: 1:30 PM
Where: Germany. 2nd Bundesliga

Bochum
Bochum is currently in 17th place in the table and started the season with a disappointing 1-4 defeat. The defense showed major weaknesses as opponents found a lot of free space and the coordination in defense was off. Offensively, the team acted without ideas and effectiveness. The home advantage and the strong pressure to redeem themselves suggest a committed and offensive style of play, but with existing problems in defense.

Elversberg
Elversberg, on the other hand, had a successful start with a 1-0 away win and currently sits in 9th place. The team impresses with discipline, a compact defense, and efficient chance conversion. Tactically, they rely on a dense structure and quick counterattacks, acting rather pragmatically. Even though away conditions are challenging, their success in the first game makes them psychologically strong.

Injuries
Bochum is missing key players such as Francis Onyeka (muscle injury, expected return not before 2025), Erhan Masovic, and M. Kwarteng, which limits rotation options. Elversberg has to do without Luca Pfeiffer and Patryk Dragon (knee injury). These absences might complicate tactical changes but are not decisive for the game.

Head-to-Head
The head-to-head record is limited; the last encounter in October 2022 was an away 1-0 win for Bochum. This shows that Bochum can generally compete against Elversberg, even though matches tend to be low-scoring.

Match Prediction
Although Bochum is the favorite and urgently needs points at home, the defensive weaknesses point to a game with chances on both sides but not many goals. Elversberg plays very disciplined defensive football and will try to keep the game tight. Bookmakers expect a rather open result but not an extremely high-scoring game. The last direct match was low on goals, reinforcing this prediction. Overall, much speaks for a game with fewer than 3.5 goals.

My tip: Under 3.5 goals (1.45)

When: 14:30
Where: Netherlands. Eredivisie

AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar presents itself as a strong, attacking team that regularly competes for European qualification spots in recent seasons. Currently, they are among the league leaders with an impressive record of goals scored and conceded, indicating a good balance between offense and defense. Their play is characterized by quick transitions and strong wing attacks that often create dangerous chances. Tactically, they prefer a 4-3-3 system focusing on dominant ball possession and high pressing. At home, they are very confident and dominate the game from start to finish, supported by their fans at the AFAS Stadion.

Groningen
Groningen, on the other hand, is struggling with a significantly weaker form and is positioned near the bottom of the table. Offensively, they lack breakthrough power, while the defense often acts disorganized and concedes many goals. In recent matches, concentration especially dropped in the second half, leading to further quick goals against them. Tactical experiments like the 3-5-2 have rather worsened the problems as the wing defenders became even more vulnerable defensively. Away from home, the team appears insecure and often plays too passively, making it easier for opponents to create chances. In addition, important absences further weaken the already fragile defense.

Injuries
AZ Alkmaar may have to do without Kristijan Belic, which could affect midfield rotation, but the team has enough depth to compensate for his absence. Groningen is likely missing the important Etienne Vaessen due to a yellow card suspension and injury until the end of August. Additionally, Oskar Zawada is unavailable. The loss of Vaessen in particular heavily burdens the defense and worsens the already difficult situation for the visitors.

Head-to-Head
The record between AZ Alkmaar and Groningen clearly favors the home team. In recent encounters, AZ mostly dominated convincingly, including 3-0 and 3-1 home wins. Away, there was a 0-0 draw, which further emphasizes AZ’s home strength. This psychological advantage will likely motivate AZ even more to secure the next victory.

Match Prediction
AZ Alkmaar is the clear favorite in this matchup. Their attacking play is strong enough to exploit Groningen’s defensive weaknesses and score many goals. The home team will dominate the game and will most likely achieve at least a two-goal lead. Groningen lacks the necessary stability and offensive power to resist. The odds reflect this assessment. Therefore, the recommendation is clear: AZ Alkmaar to win.

My Tip: AZ Alkmaar to win (1.53)

When: 19:15
Where: Belgium. 1st Division A

Antwerp
Antwerp is currently in 10th place in the standings with 2 points from two games. The team has not yet won but also has not lost, as both matches ended in 2-2 draws. Their play appears balanced, but lacks the necessary punch and creativity in attack to effectively capitalize on chances. Antwerp often controls midfield with a 4-3-3 formation, yet struggles with the final pass and finishing. The defense is stable but not impenetrable, as reflected in goals scored and conceded. At home, the team feels more confident and wants to demonstrate its will with offensive play down the flanks from the start.

Heverlee Lions
Heverlee Lions have had a difficult start to the season, currently 15th in the table with only 1 point from two matches. The team shows major defensive weaknesses, having conceded 7 goals while scoring only 2. The backline appears porous, leaving plenty of space for quick opposing attacks, especially on the wings. The formation seems open, possibly a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2, but the lack of compactness and weak pressure in midfield make the defense look fragile. Away from home, Lions are even more uncertain, which further increases their vulnerability. Matches involving this team often see many goals, though mostly against them.

Injuries
Antwerp have lost key central players to cruciate ligament injuries: Geoffry Hairemans and Anthony Valencia are a painful absence, as they provide important impulses in midfield and attack. Heverlee Lions’ Bryang Kayo is injured but not seriously; nonetheless, he is a loss for the team.

Head-to-Head
Encounters between Antwerp and Heverlee Lions are usually balanced and high-scoring. In the last five meetings, Antwerp holds a slight edge with two wins, two draws, and one loss. The most recent matches in 2025 ended in draws (2-2 and 1-1), showing that Lions are capable of challenging the favorite and scoring goals. Historically, these games regularly produce goals, indicating offensively rich contests.

Match Prediction
Given the vulnerabilities in the Lions’ defense and Antwerp’s home advantage, a home win seems very likely. Although Antwerp struggles with finishing chances, it is expected they will gradually address their offensive weaknesses and aim to secure three points at home. Lions are likely to not only defend but also play offensively and thus score at least one goal. The promising circumstances and historical superiority in direct encounters make a bet on Antwerp's victory a smart choice.

My tip: Antwerp to win (1.88)

When: 14:00
Where: Sweden, Allsvenskan

Degerfors
Degerfors is in 15th place and is fighting to avoid relegation with only 14 points from 18 games. The defense is extremely vulnerable – with 39 goals conceded and only 18 scored so far this season. On average, they concede over 2 goals per game. The last five matches brought only a single narrow home win and one draw; otherwise, there were defeats. The defense looks like a Swiss cheese through which opponents regularly break through unhindered. Particularly notable is that Degerfors hardly applies any pressure on the ball carrier, giving opponents plenty of space to play. Offensively, they usually try to operate via the wings, but often lack the final pass or finish. At home they make an effort, but the defense remains a major problem.

Häcken
Häcken ranks 10th with 22 points, which seems much more solid. With 26 goals scored and 33 conceded, they have a rather shaky record. They have achieved two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five games. Häcken shows a rather variable style of play, often keeping the ball but rarely creating clear chances. The defense is vulnerable, often like "Swiss cheese," especially on fast counterattacks. Additionally, key players are missing due to suspensions and injuries, which further weakens the defense. Despite having the stronger team, Häcken is vulnerable due to injuries and will probably go forward without withdrawing too much.

Injuries
Degerfors can draw from their full squad; there are no known absences or suspensions. However, Häcken must do without Pontus Dahbo (yellow card suspension) and Brice Wembangomo (injured). These absences affect the team mainly in defensive midfield and at the back, which further weakens their defense.

Head-to-head
The recent games between Degerfors and Häcken have been very open and high-scoring. For example, Degerfors won away 4-3 in April 2025, at home they had a 1-0 win but also suffered a clear 1-6 defeat against Häcken. Other matches such as 2-2 and 1-2 show that both teams are often offensively oriented and goals are abundant – defensive stability is rare here.

Match prediction
Due to the defensive weaknesses of both teams and their historically goal-rich encounters, a match with multiple goals is very likely. Nevertheless, the sometimes harmless chance conversion and partially unstable offense also leave open the possibility that the number of goals may be limited. Therefore, a bet on "Under 3.5 goals" at odds of 1.40 is recommended, as there is no clear dominance for many goals and both teams struggle with major defensive problems but also do not consistently create high-quality chances.

My tip: Under 3.5 goals (1.40)