Bayern Munich – VfL Bochum
Football returned to the big European stage during the week as the Champions League group stage got underway. For the top German teams, however, it’s back to the daily grind of the Bundesliga this weekend. For the record champion, the third home match in a row is then scheduled for Saturday afternoon. However, this weekend’s opponent is not from Manchester, but from the Ruhr area. Whether the FCB will be as successful as on Wednesday, you can find out in our Bayern – Bochum tip.
Bayern are not only doing extremely well in the top flight, but also in the Bundesliga, where they have yet to lose a match. Before matchday 5, the FCB is in second place with ten points only because of the worse goal difference. The visitors from Bochum, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first win of the season. After the opening defeat against Stuttgart, however, VfL recently picked up three solid draws in a row.
The biggest obstacle for Bayern this weekend, however, could be the Oktoberfest. That’s because the record champions’ home record in the Bundesliga during the Wiesn is weaker, with a win rate of 64 per cent, compared to games outside the festive period, where the win rate is 75 per cent.
Bayern – Bochum info:
- Date & Time: 23.09.2023, 15:30 Uhr
- Game venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 5
- TV coverage: Sky
Bayern Form & Balance Check
After much chaos reigned at FC Bayern both on and off the pitch last year, the Munich side are looking to restore their usual dominance in the Bundesliga this season. After four games, however, the record champions are only in second place in the German top flight.
Nevertheless, Bayern’s start has been more than respectable so far. The Munich team won the first three league games against Bremen, Augsburg and Gladbach in more or less commanding fashion. In the top match against Leverkusen last Friday, the FCB only narrowly missed out on victory. And in the Champions League, too, they scored a 4:3 win against Man United in their opening match.
Bayern’s penalty problem
When Leon Goretzka scored the 2-1 for Bayern just before the end last Friday, many observers thought it was the winning goal. But in injury time, the FCB conceded the late equaliser, after a thoroughly controversial penalty. But this mishap has become more frequent for the record champions in the recent past.
In the last 33 Bundesliga matches, Bayern Munich has caused eleven penalties. Seven different players were the culprits. Remarkably, the FCB conceded exactly the same number of penalties against themselves in the 112 games before that.
Bayern facts & analysis
- Bundesliga second in the table
- Played 2-2 against Leverkusen on last matchday
- Third home game in a row
Bochum form & balance check
VfL Bochum enter the Bundesliga stage for the third time in a row, which in itself is considered a great success for the Ruhr club. The top priority remains staying in the league this season. However, the start to the new season was anything but promising.
The elimination in the 1st round of the DFB Cup against Arminia Bielefeld from the 3rd division was followed by a clear defeat in the first Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart. In the last three games, however, VfL showed an improved performance and earned a point each against Dortmund, Augsburg and Frankfurt. Against FC Bayern, the Bochum side will now be hoping for their fourth point in a row.
Away weak Bochum
For VfL Bochum, the home match atmosphere has had a special meaning the last few years. The Ruhrstadion has been an impregnable fortress for the Bochum side so far this season, as they have yet to concede a defeat there. Even last season, the home record was positive, with more wins than defeats at the stadium on Castroper Straße.
On foreign soil, however, Bochum presents itself in a completely different light. On 12.11.2022, the team from the deep west won 1-0 at FC Augsburg and less than four months later 2-0 in Cologne. However, these two victories were followed by only three draws in the pre-season, making VfL the second-worst away team in the league. In the new season, this statistic should be more positive again and the point win in Augsburg was a first step in the right direction.
Bochum facts & analysis
- Last year’s worst defence in the league.
- Placed 13th in the league
- Still without a win this season
Predicted line-up – last update on 21 September 2023
Thomas Tuchel will again send Bayern onto the field against Bochum in a 4-2-3-1. Harry Kane will once again provide danger up front. And also otherwise we expect only little rotation in the starting line-up compared to the duel with Manchester United. Kingsley Coman, however, could move into the starting eleven.
At VfL Bochum, we will again see the familiar 3-5-2. We also expect little to no changes in the starting eleven for the visitors from Castroper Straße. The double top will probably consist of Hofmann and Asano again.
Bayern – Bochum direct comparison & statistics
In 79 previous encounters with VfL Bochum, FC Bayern have won an impressive 53 matches. The Bochum team, on the other hand, has only won ten times against the record champions. VfL’s last victory in Munich dates back to 28 August 1991. In the previous season, however, Bochum lost to the record champions cumulatively over the two games with 0:10.
- Bochum have never won against Bayern at the Allianz Arena.
- Bochum have won only one of their 37 away games at FC Bayern
- Bayern win 63% of halves, Bochum win 17%
