VfL Bochum are set to host Borussia Monchengladbach at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday in each side’s second Bundesliga game of the 2024-25 season.
The home team lost 1-0 on August 24 against RB Leipzig and are currently 15th in the table, while the visitors lost 3-2 against champions Bayer Leverkusen on August 23 after conceding a decisive third goal in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time.
Although losing to RB Leipzig was by no means an unexpected result, Bochum might feel they should have taken at least a point from the match given they created three big chances in comparison to Leipzig’s one.
The hosts will be particularly disappointed that they failed to take advantage of serious errors from Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi and defender Castello Lukeba, who combined to lose the ball in their penalty area in the 30th minute after attempting to play out from the back.
Bochum boss Peter Zeidler will also feel his side could have easily prevented Die Roten Bullen’s Antonio Nusa from scoring the winner in the 59th minute, considering the goal originated from midfielder Matus Bero’s mistake on the ball in the Blues’ own half.
Zeidler’s team come into Saturday’s clash having lost their last three Bundesliga games, as well as nine of their last 13 league matches.
At Vonovia Ruhrstadion, Bochum have lost three of their last six fixtures, though in their last 20 home games, the Blues have lost just four times, won seven and drawn on nine occasions.
Opponents Borussia Monchengladbach could be forgiven for being low on confidence after they fought back from 2-0 down, only to lose because of a goal from Florian Wirtz deep into second-half stoppage time.
Nico Elvedi netted Die Fohlen’s first from a set piece after 59 minutes, before Tim Kleindienst scored their second in the 85th minute, but a 100th-minute penalty was awarded to Leverkusen.
Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin saved Wirtz’s spot kick but the Leverkusen attacker managed to score the rebound and hand Die Fohlen boss Gerardo Seoane his first defeat of the season.
Seoane’s side have been in dreadful league form for some time and have lost 10, drawn nine and won just three of their last 22 Bundesliga games.
Die Fohlen have also lost 17, drawn 16 and won only three of their last 36 away league fixtures and have conceded 10 in their last three matches on the road.
The hosts will be without left-back Bernardo and attacker Moritz-Broni Kwarteng due to knee injuries, the latter of whom has not featured since March.
Bochum will also be unable to select defender Ivan Ordets as a result of a shoulder issue, while Manuel Riemann has not been included in the weekend’s squad.
Meanwhile, midfielder Yvandro Borges Sanches and goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky are set to miss out for the visitors, while there are doubts about winger Robin Hack because of a foot injury.
Borussia Monchengladbach could name an unchanged attack, with Franck Honorat, Kevin Stoger and Alassane Plea likely to feature behind striker Tim Kleindienst.
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Drewes; Passlack, Medic, Masovic, Wittek; Losilla, Sissoko, Bero; Daschner; Hofmann, Boadu
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Stoger, Plea; Kleindienst
We say: VfL Bochum 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Although Bochum have lost three of their last five league fixtures, their record at home is fairly decent.
Additionally, given Borussia Monchengladbach have often struggled away from home, it would not be a surprise if they dropped points for a second consecutive matchweek.
