Bochum vs. Gladbach preview: Can either side claim maximum points?
Bochum
Bochum are looking to avoid another relegation fight after they were forced to go through the relegation playoff last season. After losing 3-0 to Fortuna Düsseldorf in the first leg, Bochum staged a sensational comeback to win the second leg 3-0 before they held their nerve to win the subsequent penalty shootout.
Die Unabsteigbaren followed their playoff triumph with the appointment of Peter Zeidler as their new manager. Unfortunately for Zeidler, he has experienced an underwhelming start to his tenure, having overseen back-to-back defeats. Bochum suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Jahn Regensburg in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, before they fell to a narrow defeat in their league opener against Leipzig.
Antonio Nusa’s 59th-minute effort proved enough to condemn Bochum to defeat at the Red Bull Arena, ensuring die Unabsteigbaren have now won just one of their previous 12 away league games. With that in mind, Bochum will be looking forward to returning to the Ruhrstadion for their first home game of the season. The hosts will attempt to beat Gladbach for the first time since recording a 2-1 home win in November 2022.
Team News
The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Moritz-Broni Kwarteng, Ivan Ordets and Bernardo.
Gladbach
Gladbach have kept faith in Gerardo Seaone despite finishing in an underwhelming 14th position last term. After finishing in the bottom half in the last three seasons, Gladbach will be looking for considerable improvement in the 2024-25 campaign.
Die Fohlen kicked off the new season with a 3-1 victory over Erzgebirge Aue in the Pokal, before they turned their focus to a difficult league opener against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. Gladbach looked set to take a point after fighting back from two goals down thanks to efforts from Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst. However, their comeback was ultimately in vain as Florian Wirtz netted a 101st-minute winner to condemn die Fohlen to a 3-2 defeat.
As a result, Gladbach have now gone seven league games without a win since beating Wolfsburg in April. With Gladbach keen to end that winless run, they may be able to take confidence from the fact they have won each of their last three meetings with Bochum, including a 5-2 home win in February.
Team News
Goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky and midfielder Yvandro Borges Sanches are both ruled out with knee injuries.
