After their thrashing at Anfield on Tuesday, champions Bayer Leverkusen will face VfL Bochum in their 10th Bundesliga game of 2024-25 when they travel to Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso's side lost 4-0 against Liverpool in the Champions League last time out and are currently fourth in the top flight with 16 points, while the visitors are last in 18th place with just one point after nine matchweeks.
Match preview
© Imago
The hosts were humiliated by Eintracht Frankfurt in their most recent league outing on November 2, conceding five goals after just 32 minutes and eventually losing 7-2 against the Eagles.
Some of the disharmony amongst the team can perhaps be attributed to the fact they were led out by interim boss Markus Feldhoff, but with the appointment of Dieter Hecking on November 4 until the end of the season, fans will hope the club's new manager can quickly implement his own style of play.
Hecking's side come into Saturday's clash having lost 10 of their last 11 Bundesliga games, failing to win any in that time while also conceding 22 goals in their last five league matches.
Bochum's home record is slightly better considering they have collected six points in their 10 most recent top-flight fixtures, though they have still been defeated in four of their last five league games at Vonovia Ruhrstadion.
© Imago
As for Alonso, it looked as if his team would claim a point against Liverpool after they held the Reds at bay for more than an hour, but Arne Slot's side scored four goals in the last 30 minutes and left Die Schwarzroten 14th in the Champions League table.
In truth, Leverkusen can have few complaints with the scoreline considering they only produced 0.8 xG, almost four times less than the figure Liverpool managed.
Die Schwarzroten drew 0-0 with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on November 1, and Alonso hailed his team's showing as their most complete performance of the season, praising his players for their intense pressing and ability to create chances in the final third.
Leverkusen have already dropped points in five games this season, drawing four and losing one of their nine league matches in 2024-25, whereas they only dropped points in six fixtures in the entirety of the 2023-24.
It should also be noted that the away team have drawn three, lost one and won one of their last five games.
The visitors have scored 20 goals and conceded on 15 occasions in the Bundesliga this term, and these records make them the division's third-best offensive and joint 10th best defensive side.
Leverkusen's loss against Liverpool was the first time the club have been defeated in an away match in any competition since they were beaten 3-0 by Bochum in late May 2023.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts will be unable to select left-back Bernardo until late November, so expect Felix Passlack, Jakov Medic, Ivan Ordets and Maximilian Wittek to start in defence.
Goalkeeper Manuel Riemann remains internally suspended after issues at the end of last season regarding playing time, so there is no reason to suggest that Patrick Drewes will not appear between the posts.
Striker Myron Boadu has also been ruled out as a result of a hip injury until later this month, and in his absence, Bochum will likely field Moritz Broschinski and Philipp Hofmann in a front two.
Meanwhile, attacker Amine Adli is still unavailable due to a broken leg and will not appear for the visitors until late March next year.
Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface are certain to be chosen in the forward line, and they could be joined by Martin Terrier.
Defenders Jeanuel Belocian and Nordi Mukiele will not be part of the matchday squad on Saturday, and it is probable that Alonso will select Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie in central defence.
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Drewes; Passlack, Medic, Ordets, Wittek; Miyoshi, Sissoko, Losilla, De Wit; Broschinski, Hofmann
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface
We say: VfL Bochum 1-4 Bayer Leverkusen
Although Bochum will hope that the appointment of a new manager will give the team a much-needed boost, their poor form this season cannot be ignored.
Leverkusen should head into the clash as clear favourites given their strong away outings and good goalscoring record, and they could net several times on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
