Marco Rose cannot afford to drop any more points as RB Leipzig take on VfL Bochum
Saturday’s clash at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion presents a critical test for both VfL Bochum and RB Leipzig as they seek to improve their respective fortunes in the Bundesliga. While the hosts continue their battle to climb out of the relegation zone, Leipzig are in dire need of a win to steady their ship amid inconsistent performances.
Despite their position at the bottom of the table with just nine points after 17 games, Bochum have shown signs of revival under Dieter Hecking, who took charge in November 2024. The Blues have managed to collect seven points in their last four matches, a significant improvement from the two points they accumulated in their first 13 games. A key component of their resurgence has been their defensive solidity, as they have kept two clean sheets in their last three fixtures and conceded more than one goal just twice in Hecking’s eight games in charge.
Bochum’s recent 1-0 win over St Pauli showcased their growing resilience. Creating three big chances in attack, they defended resolutely after taking the lead, not allowing their opponents a single shot on target. The home side has also transformed their form at Vonovia Ruhrstadion, winning three of their last four matches and losing only once in their last five on home soil. With the gap to safety now reduced to five points, Hecking’s men will hope to build on their momentum and pull off an upset against Leipzig.
For RB Leipzig, the season has been a mixed bag, with their current fourth-place position masking significant issues, particularly away from home. Marco Rose’s side has been alarmingly inconsistent, with their last outing ending in a 2-1 loss to Stuttgart.
Defensive frailty remains a pressing concern, as Die Roten Bullen have conceded 13 goals in their last five games. The team’s attacking efficiency has also dipped, with only 29 goals scored in the Bundesliga, placing them ninth in the league’s offensive rankings.
Rose’s men have also struggled mightily on the road, losing six of their last seven away games while conceding at least two goals in five of those matches. Their recent inability to create chances and close games has been stark, highlighted by their 1-0 win against Bochum earlier this season in a match where their opponents created more significant chances.
To compound matters, Leipzig will be without Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda, who were sent off late in the Stuttgart defeat, leaving Rose with limited options in attack. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
VfL Bochum 1848
Bochum enter this match with a relatively healthy squad, but they will be without midfielder Mats Pannewig, while captain Anthony Losilla is a doubt due to illness. If Losilla is unable to feature, Matus Bero and Ibrahima Sissoko are expected to anchor the midfield in a double pivot.
Meanwhile, centre-back Tim Oermann remains a doubt after suffering a concussion, and his absence could see Erhan Masovic, Ivan Ordets, and Bernardo retain their places in a back three, as they did in the recent win against St Pauli.
The home side are expected to deploy in a 3-4-3 formation with Patrick Drewes starting in goal. The back three will consist of Erhan Masovic, Ivan Ordets, and Bernardo.
On the flanks, Felix Passlack and Maximilian Wittek are expected to feature as wing-backs. The midfield duo of Matus Bero and Ibrahima Sissoko will operate in central roles. Up front, Philipp Hofmann will play as the lone striker, supported by Gerrit Holtmann and Koji Miyoshi on either side.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Drewes; Masovic, Ordets, Bernardo; Passlack, Bero, Sissoko, Wittek; Miyoshi, Hofmann, Holtmann
RB Leipzig
Leipzig will have to navigate this game with several key absentees. Strikers Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda are suspended following their red cards in the loss to Stuttgart, and forward Andre Silva is unavailable due to injury. This leaves Yussuf Poulsen as the likely candidate to lead the line.
Supporting him in attack, Xavi Simons and Antonio Nusa could feature in advanced midfield roles. Leipzig will also be without midfielders Xaver Schlager and Forzan Assan Ouedraogo, both sidelined due to injury, so Kevin Kampl and Amadou Haidara are expected to anchor the midfield.
In defence, Benjamin Henrichs and Castello Lukeba are ruled out, which might prompt Marco Rose to deploy a back three featuring Lukas Klostermann, Willi Orban, and Nicolas Seiwald. The wing-back roles could be occupied by Ridle Baku and David Raum, providing both defensive cover and offensive width.
The visitors are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Peter Gulacsi in goal. The back three is likely to consist of Lukas Klostermann, Willi Orban, and Nicolas Seiwald. On the wings, Ridle Baku and David Raum are expected to feature as wing-backs.
The central midfield pairing will likely be Kevin Kampl and Amadou Haidara, providing stability and distribution in the middle. Up front, Yussuf Poulsen is expected to play as the lone striker, supported by Xavi Simons and Antonio Nusa in the attacking midfield roles.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Seiwald; Baku, Kampl, Haidara, Raum; Nusa, Simons; Poulsen
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig have won 10 of their 12 competitive matches against VfL Bochum (D1 L1), boasting an 83% win rate. Only against Hertha BSC (86%) do Leipzig have a higher win percentage in professional football (minimum 10 matches). Leipzig also kept a clean sheet in their recent meeting with Bochum during the first half of the current Bundesliga season.
- Despite finishing the first half of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season with just nine points and a goal difference of -23—marking the weakest interim result in their history—Bochum managed to gain six of those nine points in their last three matches. Only Leverkusen and Bayern Munich gained as many points during that period.
- VfL Bochum have secured back-to-back Bundesliga home wins for the first time in over a year. The last time they achieved this feat was in December 2023. The last instance of Bochum winning three consecutive home league games was under Thomas Letsch at the turn of the 2022-23 season.
- Bochum have gone two Bundesliga home matches and 214 minutes without conceding a goal, a significant improvement. They had failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 prior home games across all competitions. Achieving three clean sheets in a row at home has only occurred once in the top flight over the past 20 years, during autumn 2021.
- RB Leipzig ended the first half of the current Bundesliga season with just 30 points, their third-lowest total at this stage since promotion. They have conceded five defeats in their last nine league games since November 2024, as many as in their previous 32 matches combined.
Player to Watch
Xavi Simons
The Dutch midfielder, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, has already made a significant impact with his vision and technical skill, contributing both goals and assists to Leipzig’s attacking efforts.
Simons’ ability to operate between the lines makes him a constant threat to opposing defenses, and his quick decision-making often leads to goal-scoring opportunities. Against a Bochum side that has improved defensively under Dieter Hecking, Simons’ knack for unlocking compact defensive setups will be crucial. With RB Leipzig missing key attacking options like Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda due to suspension, the creative burden on Simons will be even greater.
If Leipzig are to take all three points, expect Simons to play a central role in orchestrating their attacking moves and providing the spark needed to break through Bochum’s defense.
Prediction
VfL Bochum 1848 1-1 RB Leipzig
Given Bochum’s resurgence and Leipzig’s recent defensive struggles, this matchup could be closer than the standings suggest. Bochum’s newfound confidence, coupled with their strong home form, makes them a tough opponent for a Leipzig side that has failed to deliver consistently on the road.