RB Leipzig vs. Bochum preview: Die Roten Bullen out to extend unbeaten run
RB Leipzig will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to six matches when they welcome Bochum to the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig will turn their focus back to league action after they were beaten 3-1 by European champions Manchester City in Wednesday’s Champions League contest. While they may have finished up on the losing side in midweek, die Roten Bullen have proven to be a tough team to beat in the Bundesliga.
After losing to Bayer Leverkusen in their league opener, Leipzig have put together a five-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga. Die Roten Bullen won four consecutive matches, but they were made to settle for a point in last weekend’s meeting with champions Bayern Munich. Leipzig took a two-goal lead thanks to early strikes from Lois Openda and Castella Lukeba, but Bayern fought back to ensure the spoils were shared.
Although they would have been disappointed to give up a two-goal advantage, the result extended Leipzig’s unbeaten home league run to seven matches. Having won all five competitive home meetings with Bochum, they will be confident of continuing their impressive form.
Team News
Leipzig boss Marco Rose is unable to call upon El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Benjamin Henrichs, Dani Olmo and Willi Orban.
Bochum
Bochum are one of three teams yet to win a Bundesliga game this season after picking up just three points from their opening six matches. After suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Stuttgart in their league opener, Bochum went on to play out three consecutive draws, before they were thumped 7-0 by Bayern on matchday five.
Their defensive frailties were on display again last weekend, as they fell to a disappointing 3-1 home to Gladbach, leaving them with the worst defensive record in the top flight after conceding 19 goals. As a result of their poor form, Die Unabsteigbaren are sitting in the relegation spot with a point separating them from safety.
Bochum head on their travels this weekend, and they will be looking to end a seven-game winless away run. Their most recent away league victory took place on March 10 when they claimed a 2-0 win over FC Köln.
Team News
The visitors are without the services of Matus Bero, Michael Esser, Lys Mousset and Mohammed Tolba.