Bochum vs Bayer Leverkusen

Vonovia Ruhrstadion forms the backdrop for a ‘David vs Goliath’ Bundesliga clash between rock-bottom Bochum and reigning holders Bayer Leverkusen,

It’s been a dreadful start to the season for Bochum, to say the least. Back-to-back five-goal margin defeats to Eintracht Frankfurt (2-7) and Bayern Munich (0-5) spelled the end of Marcus Feldhoff’s brief tenure, condemning Bochum to the joint-worst point tally after nine rounds in Bundesliga history (1). It’s the outright worst when considering their woeful -20 goal difference, hence the appointment of a new manager, Dieter Hecking, earlier this week. Hecking’s task is nothing short of Herculean, with Bochum bidding to become the first team to survive in the top flight after such a disastrous start. Leverkusen’s upcoming visit brings further trouble, as Bochum’s meager return of just one win from their last ten encounters (D3, L6) can tell.

Visiting Bayer Leverkusen have amends to make after relinquishing their near-perfect UEFA Champions League start (W2, D1) during midweek, going down 4-0 at Liverpool. After suffering his joint-heaviest defeat at the helm of ‘Die Werkself,’ Xabi Alonso seeks redemption in the Bundesliga, where his defending champions already lag seven points behind table-topping Bayern Munich. Unable to turn draws into victories, the visitors have played out four stalemates across their last five league outings (W1). Indeed, they’ve drawn their two most recent away games in the Bundesliga despite taking the lead on each occasion. However, those ties form part of Leverkusen’s formidable run of 21 consecutive away league matches without losing (W16, D5).