Under-fire RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose must hope that his side can beat last-placed VfL Bochum when they travel to Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
The hosts are in 18th place with just nine points after 17 games but did beat St Pauli 1-0 on Wednesday, while Leipzig were beaten 2-1 by Stuttgart on the same day and are in fourth place with 30 points.
Match preview
© Imago
Bochum's chances of survival seemed to be minimal given they had collected just two points from their first 13 games, but they have since won two, drawn one and lost just once in the Bundesliga.
Dieter Hecking took charge of the club in November 2024 following the dismissal of Peter Zeidler on October 20, and though his side are still in last place, they are only five points from 15th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy final place outside the relegation zone.
The Blues created three big chances against St Pauli, and after scoring the winner in the 67th minute the victors did not concede a single shot on target, defending their box expertly.
Victory meant Hecking's side kept a clean sheet for the second time in three games, and they have only conceded more than one goal twice in his eight games in charge, whereas they had conceded 28 goals in Zeidler's final eight matches as boss.
Bochum's home form has been strong of late, with the team winning three of their last four at Vonovia Ruhrstadion and only losing once in their past five.
© Imago
RB Leipzig only beat their hosts 1-0 on August 24 in the reverse game, a match in which the relegation-threatened side created three big chances compared to Leipzig's one.
In their last game, Die Roten Bullen faced five big chances while creating just one of their own, and also had strikers Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda sent off in the closing stages.
Rose will be alarmed at his team's defensive frailty considering they have conceded 13 goals in their five most recent outings.
To their credit, Leipzig have scored 15 times in their last seven fixtures, but their record of 29 goals in the Bundesliga only makes them the league's ninth-best offensive club.
The visitors have won three and lost three of their past six games and were also defeated in five of the previous eight matches.
Die Roten Bullen's form on the road does not make for good reading given they have lost six of their last seven away from home, conceding two or more goals five times.
Team News
© Imago
Bochum have a relatively healthy squad, but they will be without midfielder Mats Pannewig and could be without Anthony Losilla due to illness.
Expect Matus Bero and Ibrahima Sissoko to feature in a double pivot behind striker Philipp Hofmann, as well as wingers Gerrit Holtmann and Koji Miyoshi.
Centre-back Tim Oermann is a doubt due to a concussion, and his absence could mean that Erhan Masovic, Ivan Ordets and Bernardo, who all started in a back three against St Pauli, retain their places in defence.
Meanwhile, Leipzig could start striker Yussuf Poulsen given Sesko and Openda are suspended and that forward Andre Silva is injured, while Xavi Simons and Antonio Nusa may play in supportive positions.
Midfielders Xaver Schlager and Forzan Assan Ouedraogo will not be in the XI due to injury, so perhaps Kevin Kampl will be joined by Amadou Haidara in the centre of the pitch.
Defenders Benjamin Henrichs and Castello Lukeba are not available for Saturday's game, and this could lead Rose to start a back three of Lukas Klostermann, Willi Orban and Nicolas Seiwald.
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Drewes; Masovic, Ordets, Bernardo; Passlack, Bero, Sissoko, Wittek; Miyoshi, Hofmann, Holtmann
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Seiwald; Baku, Kampl, Haidara, Raum; Nusa, Simons; Poulsen
We say: VfL Bochum 1-0 RB Leipzig
Leipzig's offensive capabilities will likely be severely impacted by the red cards last time out, and they could struggle to create chances in the final third on Saturday.
Considering the hosts will be full of confidence after their recent victories, it would not be surprising if they managed to earn another three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
