VfL Bochum will be aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal for the second successive campaign when they host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

The visitors, meanwhile, have made it to the final of Germany's domestic cup in six of the previous 11 seasons.

Match preview

VfL Bochum's Simon Zoller celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on September 10, 2022 © Reuters

Although Bochum have never lifted the DFB-Pokal, they have twice reached the final, losing to FC Koln in 1967-68 before Eintracht Frankfurt defeated them 20 years later.

Despite being a second tier outfit for most of the past decade, Die Unabsteigbaren have made it to the last eight of the competition on three occasions since the 2011-12 season, with their 2-1 defeat to Freiburg last season a particularly galling one given that Roland Sallai scored with practically the last kick of the match in extra time.

After comfortably surviving relegation in their first season back in the Bundesliga, Bochum looked likely to return to the second tier after picking up just one point from their opening eight games this time around, but a change in manager in the form of Thomas Letsch has dramatically improved their fortunes.

The 54-year-old oversaw his fifth consecutive home victory in the league with a 5-2 thrashing of Hoffenheim on Saturday, helping his side move three points clear of the relegation zone in the process.

As such, Letsch and his players should have real belief of beating any team at Vonovia-Ruhrstadion on current form, with Dortmund almost certainly in store for a tricky cup tie on Wednesday evening.

Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi celebrates scoring their first goal on January 29, 2023 © Reuters

However, Dortmund have returned from the World Cup in menacing form, winning all four of their league games to move within three points of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.

BVB benefitted from Kiliann Sildillia's early dismissal for Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park in their most recent win, as they made their one-man advantage for 73 minutes plus injury-time count by thrashing their top-four rivals 5-1 on Saturday.

Sebastien Haller scored his first goal for the club having missed the first half of the season due to being diagnosed with testicular cancer, while Giovanni Reyna scored his third goal in four matches from the substitutes' bench.

Having beaten RB Leipzig in the final of the DFB-Pokal two years ago in his previous spell as manager, Edin Terzic will be aware that this competition provides his best opportunity of lifting more silverware, even if the Bundesliga and the Champions League are ranked as higher priorities for the club as a whole.

With their first leg against Chelsea taking place at Westfalenstadion next Wednesday, it is clearly a crucial period in Dortmund's season as they look to avoid being a nearly team yet again after so many near-misses in recent years.

VfL Bochum DFB-Pokal form:

VfL Bochum form (all competitions):

Borussia Dortmund DFB-Pokal form:

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):

Team News

Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic reacts on January 29, 2023 © Reuters

Bochum will remain without Michael Esser (muscle), Cristian Gamboa (knee) and Paul Grave (shoulder) due to injury on Wednesday, with Letsch unlikely to make too many changes from the side that dispatched Hoffenheim at the weekend.

However, with less than 72 hours between this cup tie and their trip to Munich to face the reigning league champions on Saturday, Gerrit Holtmann and Pierre Kunde may be called upon in order to provide fresh legs.

Dortmund, meanwhile, will make the short trip across North Rhine-Westphalia without Abdoulaye Kamara and Mateu Morey, who both remain sidelined due to knee injuries, while full-backs Thomas Meunier (calf) and Julian Ryerson (illness) are doubts.

Karim Adeyemi received his fifth caution of the season in the Bundesliga against Freiburg, but his suspension will apply to Saturday's trip to Werder Bremen rather than this cup match, so he should retain his place on one of the flanks.

Reyna is likely to join him in the starting XI having failed to force his way into Terzic's team despite his recent goalscoring exploits, while Mats Hummels, Youssoufa Moukoko and Donyell Malen are all likely to start having also been on the bench at the weekend.

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Riemann; Janko, Ordets, Masovic, Soares; Losilla, Kunde; Asano, Stoger, Holtmann; Hofmann

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Wolf, Sule, Hummels, Guerreiro; Dahoud, Ozcan; Adeyemi, Reyna, Malen; Moukoko

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We say: VfL Bochum 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

Bochum's imperious home form since appointing Letsch should see them be highly competitive in this match, especially if Terzic decides to heavily rotate ahead of important league and European fixtures.

However, Dortmund will want to maintain their excellent record in the DFB-Pokal from recent seasons, especially as it represents their best chance of winning a trophy this season despite their excellent form of late suggesting that higher ambitions may be realistic.

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