VfL Bochum and Eintracht Frankfurt meet at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in a Bundesliga clash on Saturday evening.
The visitors will hope there is no repeat of last season's hefty defeat here, with the start of the Europa Conference League group stage campaign to come this week.
Match preview
© Reuters
After only narrowly avoiding the drop last season, it appears like it will be another tough season for Bochum in the Bundesliga.
After conceding 17 goals in their seven pre-season friendlies, Bochum then exited the DFB-Pokal to third-tier Arminia Bielefeld.
To then begin the league season with a 5-0 thrashing away to Stuttgart was another hammer blow as doubts would have certainly crept in.
However, a run of just four defeats in 15 home games could be crucial if they can carry that into this campaign, as it was their form at the Ruhrstadion which ensured survival last season.
A draw here with Borussia Dortmund the week after the Stuttgart debacle brought confidence, and Bochum showed good spirit to come from behind twice to claim another draw at Augsburg before the break.
Thomas Letsch's men have an incredibly daunting run to come though, facing Frankfurt next, as well European contestants Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Freiburg with a clash against Borussia Monchengladbach wedged in the middle, all in the next five.
© Reuters
The post-Oliver Glasner era has begun well for Frankfurt under new manager Dino Toppmoller.
Replacing the man that brought Europa League and domestic cup glory to the club is an unenviable one, but Toppmoller is still yet to taste defeat.
Frankfurt may only come into the weekend in mid-table, but it is just the second time in 11 seasons that they have remained unbeaten in their first three league encounters.
Dealing with life without a staggering five of their star performers from last season will be a huge task for the new manager though, with Randal Kolo Muani, Jesper Lindstrom, Evan Ndicka, Daichi Kamada and Djibril Sow all gone.
An 87th-minute debut strike from one of their new signings Niels Nkounkou salvaged a point for Eintracht in their last outing against Koln, while they were juggling European commitments.
Frankfurt narrowly saw off Levski Sofia in qualifying for the Europa Conference League, drawing in Bulgaria before sealing a win in the final 10 minutes at home to progress.
Toppmoller and his side will welcome Aberdeen to the Deutsche Bank Park to start their group campaign on Thursday.
- L
- D
- D
- L
- L
- D
- D
- W
- D
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Bochum will have Philipp Forster back from illness after he played the full 90 minutes against St Truiden during the international break.
Jordi Osei-Tutu has also recovered from a groin injury, but Luis Hartwig, Michael Esser, Lys Mousset and Mohammed Tolba all remain sidelined.
Takuma Asano netted both of Bochum's goals at Augsburg, and he is fresh off the back of sealing Hansi Flick's fate as Germany manager, scoring the fourth in Japan's 4-1 win in Wolfsburg last week.
Asano has never lost in any of the 20 Bundesliga games in which he has scored - winning an impressive 17.
Frankfurt will welcome Kristijan Jakic back after the midfielder was concussed in their UECL qualifier against Levski.
Ansgar Knauff will also be available again after serving a one-match suspension following his dismissal against Mainz.
Lucas Alario returned to the squad for their friendly with Wehen during the international break, but Mehdi Loune remains out with an ACL injury.
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Riemann; Masovic, Ordets, Bernardo; Passlack, Stoger, Losilla, Bero, Wittek; Asano, Hofmann
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Pacho; Aurelio Buta, Skhiri, Jakic, Nkounkou; Ebimbe, Marmoush, Gotze
We say: VfL Bochum 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
After winning seven of their previous 11 meetings with Bochum, Frankfurt took just one point off their upcoming opponents last season.
With Bochum slightly revitalised after two decent results, it could be a close encounter, with Frankfurt also potentially having one eye on their European clash in midweek.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
