VfL Bochum vs Bayer Leverkusen: Match Preview and Prediction

Friday 08th November 2024 10:17 AM

November 9, 2024. 4:30 p.m. Bochum. Ruhrstadion.
Bundesliga 2024-25. Day 10

Where to watch: “Setanta Sports”

Suspension : None

Absent: Bernardo, Myron Boadu – Januel Belocian, Nordi Mukiele, Amin Adli

Doubtful: Tim Hermann, Maximilian Wittek – Marten Terrier

This week a new coach took the reins at Bochum, with the appointment of experienced Dieter Hecking to lead the team. Hecking, who achieved double success in the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup in 2015 with VfL Wolfsburg, was also named Germany’s coach of the year. In the 2005-06 season he led lowly Arminia Bielefeld to the top division and in the 2022-23 season he saved FC Nuremberg from relegation to the 3rd Bundesliga. His current task is to save VfL Bochum from relegation, a team that has had a disastrous start to the season and remains the only team without a win in the current campaign.

“St. Pauli” vs. “Bayern Munich”: Match Preview and Prediction

Bochum started the season under Peter Zeidler but suffered an early elimination in the DFB-Pokal against Jahn Regensburg, followed by three consecutive league defeats. They could not secure a home victory against Bundesliga promoted Holstein Kiel (2-2) and then suffered three more defeats with a goal difference of 4:10. Marcus Feldhoff temporarily took charge of the team, but his debut was disappointing, including some difficult showings – a 0-5 home loss to Bayern Munich and a 2-7 away defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. Unfortunately for Hecking, he also faces challenging opponents in his opening matches – a home game against the reigning champions followed by a trip to Stuttgart after the international break.

Mainz vs Borussia Dortmund: Match Preview and Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen

It was naive to expect Bayer to repeat their outstanding performance from the previous season, which ended with a historic double and saw them finish the campaign undefeated in the Bundesliga, whilst starting the new season with a victory in DFL-Supercup. However, Xabi Alonso’s side have been largely disappointing of late. Earlier this season, RB Leipzig ended Bayer’s remarkable unbeaten run, coming back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 away victory. Subsequently, Bayer went on a three-game winning streak, scoring four goals in each victory, held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw in Munich, and secured a home victory against AC Milan. However, just before another break, they suffered a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Holstein Kiel, allowing the visitors to come back from 0-2 down.

Mainz seeks first home win of the season against Dortmund

After the league resumed, Alonso’s men produced a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a formidable Eintracht Frankfurt but managed just one win in their last five games, easily eliminating second division side Elversberg in DFB-Pokal (3-0). Before that, Bayer struggled to win away against the French team Brest (1-1) and against Werder Bremen (2-2). Last weekend, despite dominating the chances, the “Pharmaceuticals” were only able to obtain a goalless draw at home against Stuttgart, before being demolished 0-4 by Liverpool at Anfield during the week. The first half foreshadowed intrigue, but in the second half only one team was on the field.

VfL Bochum vs Bayer Leverkusen: Predicted teams

Bochum will be without defender Bernardo and striker Myron Boadu due to injuries. Additionally, the availability of defenders Tim Hermann and Maximilian Wittek is uncertain. Leverkusen will be without central defenders Januel Belocian and Nordi Mukiele, midfielder Amin Adli, while the participation of striker Marten Terrier is also uncertain. There will likely be significant turnover after the setback against Liverpool.

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VfL Bochum vs Bayer Leverkusen : Prognostic de l’auteur

In the final matches of last season, Bayer trounced Bochum 5-0, but the “Pharmaceuticals” have previously struggled to score at the Ruhrstadion, with a 0-3 defeat in May 2023 and a 0-0 draw in April 2022. However, it is hard to believe that Bochum will be able to keep a clean sheet against Leverkusen in this match, especially with Alonso’s side needing to partially redeem themselves after the humiliation suffered at Anfield. There is no better adversary for this task.