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VfL Bochum vs. Bayern Munich
For the 22nd matchday of the Bundesliga, there is a special highlight for fans of VfL Bochum. The Blue and Whites host the big FC Bayern at the Vonovia-Ruhrstadion on Saturday at 15:30 and want to use their home strength to upset the favourites. However, the Munich side are once again in outstanding form and have no intention of stumbling in Bochum. Our prediction for this interesting match can be found in the following Bochum vs Bayern tip.
The promoted team from Bochum has played a solid season so far and is in eleventh place in the table with 25 points from 21 games. However, VfL is far from out of the woods, as since last weekend the relegation place is only three points away, and the tension in the relegation battle is coming to a head. Bayern, on the other hand, were able to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points on the last matchday, and the record champions have already collected a total of 52 points.
Bochum – Bayern Info
– Date & Time: 12.02.2022, at 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Vonovia-Ruhrstadion (Bochum)
– Competition: Bundesliga, 22nd matchday
– TV broadcast: Sky
Bochum Form & Balance Check
VfL Bochum can be quite satisfied with their season so far, but must not rest on their laurels. The relegation zone is still dangerously close, and against Bayern, of course, points are rarely to be expected. Of the first four league games in the new year, Bochum only won the opener against Wolfsburg and have not been able to record a victory since. Last Friday, VfL still managed to pick up a point at direct rivals Hertha BSC after a weak first half, with Polter equalising Belfodil’s goal for a 1-1 final score.
Losilla and Lions return – Polter or Locadia?
At least coach Thomas Reis will be able to call on all of his regulars again against Bayern (with the exception of Simon Zoller). Captain and perennial favourite Anthony Losilla is back and will be even more needed against Bayern than he already was. Eduard Löwen is also back in team training after his Covid infection. Reis is also spoilt for choice up front between Sebastian Polter and winter newcomer Jurgen Locadia. The Dutchman is technically stronger, but Polter could be the better choice against Bayern with his physicality and ability to hold onto long balls.
Bochum facts & analysis
– Rank 10 in the Bundesliga
– Last played 1:1 at Hertha BSC
– Winless for 3 league games
Bayern form & balance check
FC Bayern are once again in absolutely captivating form and are dominating the competition at will for the most part. The Munich side have won ten of their last eleven competitive matches, with only the defeat in the second-round opener against Gladbach detracting from a perfect record. However, the record champions responded with three league victories in a row. On the last matchday, there was a 3:2 victory in the thrilling top match against RB Leipzig. Müller, Lewandowski and an own goal by Gvardiol gave Bayern the next three points, Silva and Nkunku scored on the other side.
FCB without Neuer for the time being
Following the announced departure of Niklas Süle (free on expiry of his contract in the summer) to BVB, the serial champions announced the next piece of bad news during the week. Manuel Neuer underwent knee surgery and will be out for several weeks. On Wednesday, there was also an unfavourable corona suspicion with substitute Sven Ulreich, which, however, could not be confirmed. If he had also been ruled out, the third goalkeeper Christian Früchtl would probably have been allowed to celebrate his Bundesliga debut unexpectedly.
Bayern facts & analysis
– Top of the Bundesliga
– Last win 3:2 against Leipzig
– 10 wins from last 11 competitive matches, most recently 3 Bundesliga trebles in a row
Predicted line-up – last update on 10 February 2022
In Bochum we can imagine Polter as a target player in attack, flanked by the quick Asano and Holtmann. Osterhage, who is strong in running, has a good chance of a starting spot against the Munich side, especially as Löwen may not yet be fully fit again. Stafylidis, Pantovic and Locadia are further options. At Bayern, a very offensive top eleven in a 3-4-3 has recently emerged, with only Upamecano an alternative to Süle. Neuer, Davies, Goretzka and Musiala are out.
Bochum – Bayern direct comparison & statistics
The clash between VfL Bochum and FC Bayern has been played 77 times so far, 69 of them in the Bundesliga. The Bavarians are clearly ahead and have won 51 matches so far. Bochum have won only 10 games, 16 of which have ended in draws. The last seven encounters have all gone to the record champions, with VfL last winning against Munich in 2004.
– The average number of goals scored when VfL Bochum and Bayern Munich meet is 4.4.
– The average number of goals scored in the first half in matches between VfL Bochum and Bayern Munich is 2.
– The most common result between VfL Bochum and Bayern Munich is 1-3. 6 matches ended like this.
– VfL Bochum’s last home win against Bayern Munich was in 2004.
– The first leg ended with 7-0 for Bayern Munich.
