Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Can the league leaders extend their advantage?
With Bayern Munich not in action until Sunday, Borussia Dortmund will have the chance to move four points when they face Bochum on Friday evening.
Bochum
Bochum will have to pick themselves after losing 5-1 at home to Wolfsburg last weekend. Thomas Letsch's side shipped three goals inside 33 minutes, and they conceded a fourth by the hour mark. Moritz Broschinksi pulled a goal back for his side, but Lucas Waldschmidt found the net in the 77th minute to compound Bochum's miserable afternoon.
After failing to win any of their last four matches, die Unabsteigbaren are languishing in 15th place with a two-point buffer to Stuttgart, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Having conceded 66 goals in 29 league games, Bochum have the worst defensive record in the division, and their backline will be tested by a Dortmund side who are the second-highest scorers in the top flight with 66 goals to their name.
Bochum's last five competitive home games against Dortmund have produced two draws and three defeats. They will be looking to claim a home victory over the Schwarzgelben for the first time since March 2007.
Team News
The hosts have reported no fresh injury concerns, although they are still without the services of Philipp Forster.
Borussia Dortmund
With five games to play, Dortmund are in pole position in the title race following a dramatic round of action last weekend. Bayern Munich were beaten 3-1 in their away meeting with Mainz, presenting Edin Terzic's side with the opportunity to move to the top of the table in their home meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Dortmund took full advantage as they cruised to a 4-0 victory thanks to a Donyell Malen brace as well as goals from Jude Bellingham and Mats Hummels.
Die Schwarzgelben head into Friday's contest with a one-point lead over Bayern, and the Bundesliga title is now in their hands.
Although Dortmund will head to Vonovia Ruhrstadion in a buoyant mood, they have failed to win their last five competitive away games. Having conceded at least two goals in each of those five matches, the visitors will be targeting a strong defensive display.
However, they can take confidence from the fact that they have already claimed an away win over Bochum this season, after recording a 2-1 victory in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal.
Team News
Terzic has confirmed that Nico Schlotterbeck is ruled out after he was forced off in the 25th minute against Frankfurt. The visitors are also without the services of Thomas Meunier, Julien Duranville and Mateu Morey.