Bochum vs Bayern Munich

Bundesliga weekend action wraps up at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion as Bochum and Bayern Munich face each other in a ‘David vs Goliath’ type of clash.

Bochum defied the underdog status to hammer Bayern 4-2 in this corresponding fixture last season and avenge a humiliating 7-0 defeat in Munich. A potential victory here would see them beat Bayern twice in a row in Germay’s top flight for the first time in their history. However, Bochum’s 2022/23 Bundesliga season has suffered a stuttering start, Thomas Reis’ side losing both opening league matches by an aggregate score of 5-3. The hosts’ porous defence has capitulated within the first 30 minutes of play in both league outings this term, suggesting an action-packed start could be on the cards. Topically, alongside Bayern, ‘Die Unabsteigbaren’ are the only Bundesliga side to have scored twice in the opening 15 minutes far this season.

Unlike Bochum, the record-time German champions have enjoyed a stellar beginning to their title defence, beating the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg by an aggregate score of 8-1. Delivering action from the get-go, Julian Nagelsmann’s men have netted 2+ first-half goals in both league games this term. On top of that, they put three first-half goals past RB Leipzig in an overwhelming 5-3 German Super Cup triumph in July, suggesting Bochum’s backline may fall apart early in the match. What’s more, Bayern are unbeaten in their last 48 Bundesliga fixtures against teams sitting in an automatic relegation spot coming into a matchday, like Bochum are currently (W40, D8). You’d have to go to March 2008 for Bayern’s last such defeat.