English
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
NederlandA completely one-sided match is to be expected in the Bundesliga this weekend, when reigning champions Bayern Munich welcome newly promoted VfL Bochum to the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
The hosts have kicked into gear under new manager Julian Nagelsmann in recent weeks, whilst Thomas Reis's Bochum are struggling on their return to the top flight as expected.
Match preview
© Reuters
After stuttering to an opening day draw at Borussia Monchengladbach and scraping a 3-2 win over FC Koln at home, Bayern have managed to step things up from then on in the new season.
A ridiculous 12-0 win over amateur side Bremer SV in the DFB-Pokal is not a match to judge Nagelsmann's side by, but the 12 goals scored and three wins from three since, certainly are.
The 5-0 hammering of Hertha Berlin in their last home match was then followed up by a statement 4-1 win away to supposed title-challengers RB Leipzig.
Most recently, Bayern travelled to the Nou Camp in midweek to face a much-changed Barcelona side in the first match of this season's Champions League.
Although there will be those that will argue it is not the same Barcelona it once was, a dominant 3-0 victory was a sign of how the team has taken into their new manager's methods.
In fact, despite appearing to not be at their best in the first couple of games of the new season, Nagelsmann has won all of his matches in charge of the reigning champions, other than the 1-1 draw at Monchengladbach in his first match.
© Reuters
As for the visitors, they travel to the Allianz Arena on Saturday knowing that this match is just a free swing, with the enormous task not expected to play much importance in the success of their season.
Manager Reis unexpectedly guided Bochum back to the Bundesliga last season and he will want his players to enjoy these kind of occasions as a reward for their heroic efforts in gaining promotion.
Upon their return to the German top flight for the first time since 2009-10, Bochum are likely to struggle at the wrong end of the table, with their early results doing little to suggest otherwise.
Three defeats from the opening four matches see Die Unabsteigbaren sit in 13th place and level on points with a relegation playoff place.
An opening weekend loss away to Champions League side Wolfsburg was not concerning, but defeats to Koln and Hertha, two sides expected to be in and around them this campaign, will have been disappointing for Reis and his side.
However, the positive note arrived at home to Mainz 05 sandwiched in between those setbacks. A solid 2-0 win was a demonstration that despite the tough task this season, they will not go down without a fight.
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Robert Lewandowski will be looking to break yet another record when he faces Bochum on Saturday. If he manages to score yet again, it will be a record-breaking 13th Bundesliga home game in a row that he has found the net for Bayern.
The Polish striker may be joined in attack by Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, with both wingers returning from injury off the bench against Barcelona in midweek.
However, the early season form of Leroy Sane and youngster Jamal Musiala may result in the duo having to settle for a place on the substitutes bench yet again.
French international Corentin Tolisso is expected to be the only absentee for the hosts, as he continues to struggle with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, visitors Bochum are expected to remain without Cristian Gamboa and Takuma Asano for the trip to the Allianz. The duo are unavailable due to elbow and groin injuries respectively.
Central defender Maxim Leitsch remains listed as a doubt as well, so Armel Bella-Kotchap should continue to deputise in his absence.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Lewandowski
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Riemann; Stafylidis, Lampropoulos, Bella-Kotchap, Soares; Losilla, Tesche, Lowen; Zoller, Polter, Holtmann
We say: Bayern Munich 5-0 VfL Bochum
With respect to Bochum, the main question for this encounter is by how many will Bayern win, rather than attempting to predict the winners. The devastating form that the reigning champions have been in will have the visitors worried that they could be on the wrong end of a hammering, which is what we are saying here with a 5-0 prediction.
