Arminia Bielefeld begin journey back to Bundesliga with match versus Sandhausen

SV Sandhausen vs Arminia Bielefeld - 16/07/2022

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The Bundesliga kicks off this weekend extra early with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on tap for later this year. The first round will see one of last season’s relegated Bundesliga sides, Arminia Bielefeld, in a big clash to start the campaign.

Arminia Bielefeld will put their promotion credentials on the line against Sandhausen in an early test. Bielefeld finished 17th in the German top flight last season. Just five points separated them from safety.

Sandhausen also fought relegation last term, but their battle was near the bottom of the Bundesliga 2. Saturday’s home team finished 14th in the division with 41 points, nine ahead of the relegation-playoff place.

Coach Alois Schwartz will hope for a better campaign from his Sandhausen side. The Black and White have brought in several new faces to help improve chances of gaining promotion to the Bundesliga.

Central midfielder David Kinsombi joined from Hamburg along with forward Matej Pukrab from Sparta Prague, Philipp Ochs from Hannover, and Abu-Bekir Omer El Zein from Borussia Dortmund.

Schwartz will hope the additions improve Sandhausen’s goal record this season. Last season, Sandhausen scored 42 goals in 34 matches. The team finished the campaign –12 in goals.

Arminia Bielefeld shouldn’t have the same scoring issues in the Bundesliga 2 they had last season in the top flight. Bielefeld scored just 27 goals and conceded 53 times. While the team wasn’t bad on the defensive side of the ball, the offensive side struggled for much of the season.

The club was led in goals by Masaya Okugawa with eight in 2021-22. For now, the Japanese international is still an Arminia Bielefeld player. However, having scored eight goals last season, Okugawa could be on the radar of Bundesliga sides.

Bielefeld may benefit from the November World Cup. Okugawa may be worried about moving to a club in which he wouldn’t get a lot of playing time. Thus, he could remain at Arminia to enhance chances of being picked for the World Cup.

Coach Uli Forte has added some defensive reinforcements for the season ahead. Centre-back Oliver Husing has arrived on a free transfer as has midfielder Marc Rzatkowski. Right-back Silvan Sidler has joined from FC Luzen on a free as well.

Bielefeld start the season following a relegation campaign in the Bundesliga. If Arminia Bielefeld can start the season well, they should gain promotion back to the top flight.

Sandhausen did not have a great 2021-22. Their form could carry over into this season. Bielefeld should claim a 2-1 win to start the season and look strong doing it.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

De2

SV Sandhausen Arminia Bielefeld 16/07/2022 13:00

293437

2

1 - 2

2.55

24°

2.25

3.10 3.40 2.25 no no no

FT

2 - 1(1 - 0)

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