From the BZ editorial team
Hertha BSC must win the game against Bochum to keep any remaining chance of staying up.
Three points are up for grabs on Saturday in the Olympic Stadium and they have to stay in Berlin so that Hertha can at least mathematically stay up in the league.
VFL Bochum is currently in 15th place in the table with 31 points. Hertha holds the Red Lantern and has only been able to get 25 points from the previous 32 games.
The teams from Hoffenheim, Schalke and Stuttgart are still threatened with relegation. Five points separate Hertha from a relegation place. Schalke is holding it with 30 points.
So Fortuna still has a lot to do for Hertha to prevent relegation. Here are a few considerations that the goddess of fortune should take to heart:
► If Hertha were to win today against the direct relegation competitor from Bochum (kick-off 3.30 p.m.), then the Berliners would have 28 points.
► Stuttgart plays Mainz away on Sunday. Difficult task. If the Stuttgarters lose, Hertha will be one point behind the Swabians.
► Schalke have to play against Frankfurt on Saturday. The Knappen play at home, but Frankfurt are on the up. Could be a narrow win for the Hessians.
After such a matchday, if Hertha wins and Stuttgart and Schalke lose, then there would be an all-or relegation final between these four teams on the last matchday.
So Fortuna has to work really hard…