MX23RW : Monday, December 23 00:00:42| >> :60:2766:2766:
[monks data]
Leipzig logo
Bundesliga | Gameweek 7
Oct 2, 2021 at 5.30pm UK
Red Bull Arena
VfL Bochum

RB Leipzig
3 - 0
VfL Bochum

Silva (69'), Nkunku (73', 78')
Angelino (58')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Tesche (80')

Preview: RB Leipzig vs. VfL Bochum - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between RB Leipzig and VfL Bochum, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

RB Leipzig will be hoping to bounce back from another Champions League disappointment in midweek when they return to Bundesliga action against VfL Bochum at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.

The hosts will look to repeat their big win in league action last weekend, against their newly promoted visitors who have struggled to adapt to life in Germany's top flight.


Match preview

RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring their first goal on September 28, 2021© Reuters

After Christopher Nkunku continued his fine recent form with a goal inside the fifth minute in Tuesday's Champions League tie at home to Club Brugge, Leipzig will have expected to cruise to a comfortable win.

However, their Belgian opponents had other ideas and hit back with two goals before half time in a poor first half display from the hosts.

Despite introductions at half time, and dominating the play in the second half, Die Roten Bullen could not find a way through and fell to their second disappointing defeat from two in Europe this season.

Jesse Marsch and his side will have been expected to pick up from where they left off in league action last weekend, when Leipzig hammered Hertha Berlin 6-0 in a scintillating display.

Nkunku bagged himself a brace in that match, and Tuesday's goal took his record to seven goals and three assists in all competitions already this season, despite his side's relatively poor start to the campaign.

The title hopefuls find themselves sitting in 10th place after the opening six fixtures, in what is a disappointing start to the new manager's tenure in charge.

Marsch will be looking for his side to put the loss in midweek behind them and focus instead on the positives of the display against Hertha last weekend, to ensure an expected win on Saturday.

VfL Bochum coach Thomas Reis reacts on May 16, 2021© Reuters

Meanwhile, Bochum's return to the Bundesliga for the first time since the 2009-10 season has not started pleasantly as it stands currently, with the newly promoted side sitting in 17th place after their opening six fixtures.

There was not much expectation placed on the shoulders of manager Thomas Reis and his players, though, with the German boss leading the club back to the top flight against the odds last season.

A trip to Leipzig on Saturday will be one of those free swings during a tough season, which the manager will be hoping his side can enjoy as a reward for their efforts last campaign.

However, another of those enjoyable occasions was supposed to arrive at the Allianz Arena two matchdays ago, when Bochum were hit for seven by reigning champions Bayern Munich.

Reis will be looking for his players to repeat the efforts of last weekend instead, where Die Unabsteigbaren followed up the thrashing with a hard-fought goalless draw against Stuttgart, and could have nicked the three points had it not been for some missed opportunities.

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D



Team News

RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo pictured in June 2020© Reuters

Leipzig and Spain midfielder Dani Olmo remains on the sidelines due to a thigh injury ahead of Saturday's match, but his absence should not be too sorely missed should Nkunku continue his fine form.

Long-term absentees Marcel Halstenberg and Marcelo Saracchi also remain unavailable again for the hosts.

After missing out on the starting lineup in midweek, the likes of Angelino, Amadou Haidara and Josko Gvardiol are expected to return from the start against Bochum.

As for the visitors, they remain without important striker Simon Zoller due to a knee injury, along with defenders Cristian Gamboa and Maxim Leitsch.

As a result, Reis could decide to stick with the same lineup that earned a solid draw against Stuttgart last time out.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol; Mukiele, Haidara, Kampl, Angelino; Nkunku, Silva, Forsberg

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Riemann; Bockhorn, Bella-Kotchap, Masovic, Soares; Losilla, Rexhbecaj; Antwi-Adjei, Lowen, Holtmann; Polter


SM words green background

We say: RB Leipzig 4-0 VfL Bochum

We are fully expecting Leipzig to return to winning ways in this one, despite their setback in midweek. The quality difference between the two sides is vast, so a threat from Bochum is not to be expected and a comfortable home win should be played out.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data



ID:466162:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9563:
Written by
Matthew Tranter

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a RB Leipzig win with a probability of 60.44%. A win for VfL Bochum had a probability of 19.83% and a draw had a probability of 19.7%.

The most likely scoreline for a RB Leipzig win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.63%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (7.91%) and 3-1 (7.18%). The likeliest VfL Bochum win was 1-2 (5.24%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (8.6%). The actual scoreline of 3-0 was predicted with a 5.9% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that RB Leipzig would win this match.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: RB Leipzig vs VfL Bochum

RB Leipzig
88.2%
Draw
9.8%
VfL Bochum
2.0%
51
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba pictured in action against Leeds United in the Premier League on August 14, 2021
Read Next:
Barca 'eyeing triple swoop for Olmo, Pogba, Haaland'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Lions
34-17
Bears
FT
Browns
6-24
Bengals
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Bills
FT
Titans
30-38
Colts
FT
Giants
7-34
Falcons
FT
Rams
19-9
Jets
FT
Cardinals
30-36
Panthers
FT
Eagles
33-36
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern15113147133436
2Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen1595137211632
3Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1583435231227
4RB Leipzig158342420427
5Mainz 05Mainz157442820825
6Borussia DortmundDortmund157442822625
7Werder Bremen157442625125
8Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach157352520524
9Freiburg157352124-324
10Stuttgart156542925423
11Wolfsburg156363228421
12Union BerlinUnion Berlin154561419-517
13Augsburg154471732-1516
14St Pauli154291219-714
15Hoffenheim153572028-814
16Heidenheim1531111833-1510
17Holstein Kiel1522111938-198
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum1513111335-226


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!