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RB Leipzig vs. VfL Bochum
On Saturday evening at top match time, Leipzig face promoted VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga on Matchday 7. For the Bullen it is the 3rd home game in a week and after celebrating an exhilarating win against Hertha at the weekend, they suffered a bitter setback in the royal class with the 1:2 against Brugge. Now it’s time to focus on the upcoming Bundesliga matchday and get back on track against the promoted team from the Ruhr area. Of course, the home side are the clear favourites.
Leipzig’s start to the season has been mixed so far. The 6:0 win against Hertha was only the second win of the season after the 4:0 win at home against Stuttgart on matchday 2. They also started into the Champions League with 2 defeats and advancing in a group with Paris and Man City is possibly already almost impossible. Bochum, on the other hand, have felt the full rigours of the Bundesliga and have recently been beaten by Munich. But they regained stability against Stuttgart and drew 0-0 at home. Find out who we think has the edge on Saturday in this Leipzig – Bochum tip.
Leipzig – Bochum info
– Date & Time: 02.10.2021, 18:30 Uhr
– Venue: RedBull Arena (Leipzig)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 7
– TV broadcast: Online and on TV on Sky
Leipzig Form & Balance Check
Despite the high win against Hertha BSC last weekend, the start to the season is not satisfactory measured against Leipzig’s expectations. Only 2 wins from 6 games, plus 3 defeats are anything but a successful start for a team like RB. They have often shown that they have class this season, but the use of chances was rather suboptimal and the defensive behaviour was not always stable. Against Bochum, the next 3 points must follow, otherwise it could become uncomfortable for Jesse Marsch.
Does André Silva fit into Leipzig’s system?
At the moment, Leipzig’s performances are just too inconsistent. After the win against Hertha, many thought that RB had now found the right formation, but the 1:2 against Brugge during the week was extremely sobering and a setback. They found it incredibly difficult to deal with the defensive style of play of the Belgians and could hardly create any scoring chances. So far, André Silva has not been able to match his Frankfurt performances either, as he is a player who thrives on being served in the penalty area and that is not Leipzig’s style of play. Time will tell if the Portuguese can adapt.
Leipzig facts & analysis
– Leipzig have won all their Bundesliga matches at home so far.
– RB Leipzig have already scored 11 goals in 3 games at home
– Top scorer is Nkunku with 6 goals this season (Bundesliga + Champions League)
– Currently RB Leipzig are 10th in the table with 7 points
Bochum Form & Balance Check
The start of the Bundesliga season actually went quite well for Bochum and after the 2-0 home win against Mainz, many in Bochum were euphoric. But then came a number of setbacks, including the serious knee injury to Simon Zoller and the bitter 0:7 defeat to Bayern. After 3 defeats in a row, they were at least able to collect a point again at home last time, playing 0:0 against Stuttgart. However, the absence of Zoller was also noticeable against VfB and there is a lack of penetrating power in the offensive.
Does Bochum have enough quality for the Bundesliga?
Nobody assumed before the season that VfL would easily manage to stay in the Bundesliga this season. With 4 points after 6 match days, they are in second last place and it is becoming increasingly clear that the team cannot compete with the majority of Bundesliga teams in terms of quality. The defence is too unstable and the offensive too harmless. Of course, the promoted team doesn’t have the financial resources of the other teams in the top flight, but the differences are clearer than expected. It will probably be a tough season for Bochum.
Bochum facts & analysis
VfL have not yet scored a point away from home with a goal difference of 1:10.
– At the moment they are 17th in the table with 4 points
– Bochum have the third weakest defence in the league
– VfL Bochum have picked up just one point in their last 4 matches
Predicted line-up – last update on 30 September 2021
At Leipzig, a return to a three-man backline with Gvardiol in central defence is a possible option. In terms of personnel, Haidara and Adams could move into the side as their form has been extremely pleasing recently. André Silva will probably sit on the bench again. Bochum coach Marco Reis will probably field the same eleven as against Stuttgart. Offensively, Asano and Blum are alternatives for the flanks.
Leipzig – Bochum direct comparison & statistics
The two teams have never met in the Bundesliga, so we can expect a premiere this weekend. Nevertheless, they played each other in the cup last season, but Bochum, then still a second-division team, were completely without a chance and lost the game 4:0. The four comparisons in the 2nd Bundesliga also all went to the Leipzig team. Overall, the goal difference is 12:2 for Leipzig.
– RB Leipzig’s current performance in the Bundesliga is better than VfL Bochum’s.
– The average goals scored when RB Leipzig and VfL Bochum meet is 2.8
– When RB Leipzig leads 1-0 in home games, they win 83% of the matches
– Neither team conceded a goal in their last match
