Vfl Bochum – Bayern Munich
The final game of matchday 22 in the Bundesliga takes us to the deep west of Germany this week. VfL Bochum will face the record champions from Munich. These two clubs are known to be fan friends, but Bayern have been anything but friendly to the hosts in recent matches. FCB have won ten of the last eleven meetings, with a devastating goal difference of 44:7. Another clear victory would be balm for Bayern’s battered soul.
After all, Munich are coming off the back of an extremely disappointing week. Firstly, the record champions lost their top-of-the-table clash against Leverkusen the previous week and are now five points behind the leaders. And then there was a disappointing 1:0 defeat in the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Lazio Rome during the week.
VfL Bochum, on the other hand, have not won in three games, but are still having a very solid season. The men from Castroper Straße currently occupy 14th place in the league and are already ten points clear of a direct relegation spot. You can find out whether VfL will pick up another point on Saturday in our Bochum – Bayern betting tip.
Bochum – Bayern info
- Date & Time: 18.02.2024, 17:30 hrs
- Playing venue: Vonovia Ruhrstadion, Bochum
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 22
Bochum Form & Balance Check
VfL Bochum have finally arrived in the Bundesliga. In the last two years, the men from Castroper Straße have always been involved in the relegation battle right to the end. However, this could change this season. Although coach Thomas Letsch’s team are only in 14th place, the spectre of relegation is not currently haunting the Ruhrstadion.
Compared to the previous season, the men from the deep west have three more points to their name. The relegation place currently occupied by 1. FC Köln is already six points away. In the previous week, Bochum picked up another important point. VfL fought their way to a 1:1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt
Broschinski is blossoming
Moritz Broschinski came through the youth ranks at Energie Cottbus and gained his first professional experience at FCE in the regional league and 3rd division. The attacker ended up at VfL Bochum just over a year ago via Borussia Dortmund II. Last season, the 23-year-old scored his first two goals in the German top flight. This season, however, the youngster initially had to take a back seat in the striker hierarchy.
Philipp Hofmann and Gonçalo Paciência were usually deployed in the center of the attack under coach Letsch. However, Broschinski played his way into the starting line-up in the new year. The young striker was always in the starting line-up against Dortmund, Augsburg and Frankfurt. The Finsterwalde-born attacker then scored for the first time this season against FCA. Broschinski also scored against Eintracht Frankfurt the previous week
Bochum facts & analysis
- In 14th place in the Bundesliga
- The most draws in the league
- First defeat in 2024
Bayern Form & Balance Check
This season, FC Bayern are experiencing some highs on the pitch, but also some lows. Last week in particular was one disappointment after another for coach Thomas Tuchel and his men. In particular, the clear defeat in the top match against Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday hit the mood of the Bayern fans. The Werkself secured a deserved 3:0 victory there.
Following this defeat, Munich are now five points behind the league leaders from Leverkusen. And there was another disappointment in the top flight on Wednesday. Bayern were deservedly defeated 1:0 by Lazio Roma, who are eighth in the Serie A. Bayern fans will now be hoping for an improvement when they visit Bochum
Kane without fortitude
In the summer, Harry Kane made the leap from Tottenham in the Premier League to the Isar. The England captain immediately left his mark on Munich. The striker immediately equaled Robert Lewandowski’s historic record with 22 goals in the first half of the season. In the last five games, however, the Briton has only managed to find the net twice. Against Leverkusen, the attacker even managed just one shot and had an xG value of 0.04.
Against the men from the deep west, however, Kane will now be hoping to score at least one goal again. However, the first clash against VfL will probably still be firmly anchored in his memory. In the first-round clash against Bochum, he showed his class by being involved in five goals. The 31-year-old scored three goals and set up two
Bayern facts & analysis
- In second place in the Bundesliga
- Best offense in the league
- Last two competitive defeats in a row
At VfL Bochum we expect a 4-2-3-1 again on Sunday. Compared to the draw in Frankfurt, we don’t expect many changes in the starting line-up. However, Matus Bero will be missing with a yellow card suspension.
Bayern will also start in a 4-2-3-1 again. Dayot Upamecano, who was sent off in the Premier League, will be back in the starting eleven
Bochum – Bayern head-to-head & stats
To date, there have been 80 meetings between these two teams. Bayern have won 54 of them, while Bochum have ten victories to their name. FCB won the first leg 7:0
Direct comparison (H2H)
