First or second league? Will it be against FC Bayern or SSV Ulm next season? There is a lot at stake for Bochum and Düsseldorf. One statistic is clear.
VfL Bochum and Fortuna Düsseldorf are facing decisive days. The relegation matches today in the Ruhrstadion and on Monday (both at 8.30 p.m.) in Düsseldorf will decide who will be allowed to compete in the Bundesliga next season and who will play in the 2nd division. The German Press Agency answers some important questions before the duel between the western rivals.
Where can I watch the relegation games on TV?
Both games will be shown on free-to-air television on Sat.1. The pay channel Sky also broadcasts the games live.
Does the first division team or the second division team have better chances?
This depends on many factors, of course, and is difficult to answer in general terms. Their current form speaks in Fortuna’s favor, while their record in previous relegations between first and second division teams speaks in VfL’s favor. In 25 decisive duels between a club from the Bundesliga and one from the second division – ten of which took place between 1982 and 1991 – the second division teams have only been able to win six times.
Since 2012, the second division team has only been rewarded for a strong season with promotion in the playoffs twice. At that time, Düsseldorf prevailed against Hertha BSC, and in 2019 1. FC Union Berlin rose in the relegation game against VfB Stuttgart.
Why does the second division team have home advantage in the return match?
The club that has fewer days off before the first leg according to the schedule has the home advantage in the second leg. Since the 34th matchday of the Bundesliga traditionally takes place on Saturday and the last second division matchday was scheduled for Sunday, Düsseldorf can play at home in the second leg.
How much money is involved?
There is a lot at stake for the clubs, not just sportingly but also financially. In the event of relegation, VfL says it expects TV money alone to be around 40 percent less than for the current Bundesliga season. Bochum can expect an estimated 38 million euros this season; there is no official list of how TV money will be distributed. For Fortuna, promotion would mean additional income in various areas totaling around 30 million euros.
Source: Stern
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