Bayer Leverkusen Vs VfL Bochum Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen Vs VfL Bochum Preview

Tournament: Bundesliga

Date: Saturday, 29 March

Kick-off time: 19:30 GMT

Venue: BayArena

Bayern Leverkusen are back in action as they take on VfL Bochum at the BayArena on Saturday in round 27 of the Bundesliga action. It is a crucial match for the home side as they aim to close the gap at the top.

Bayer Leverkusen are having a mixed season as they trail Bayern Munich at the top by six points after match 26. Xabi Alonso's side secured an important result in the last match as they came from behind to secure a historic 4-3 away win over Stuttgart to keep their title dreams alive.

The match was filled with drama and emotions as Patrik Schick scored in the 90+4 minute to seal the victory. So far, his side have gathered 56 points from 26 matches, having registered three wins, one draw, and losing once in the last five matches. Patrik Schick is starting to become the hero for them as he leads the goalscoring chart with 17 goals and the injured Florian Wirtz who they are missing badly, provides the most assists with 10.

VfL Bochum, on the other hand, are finding themselves in the relegation zone having accumulated 20 points from 26 matches. They are currently five points adrift of the safe zone, trailing St. Pauli in 16th position. Despite their position, Bochum have earned a reputation for troubling the big sides this season, having defeated Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and even drawing against them in the reverse fixture. The problem for them has been their performance against the lower sides, where they are struggling to showcase the same hunger as against the big guns.

They have secured two wins in their last five matches, notably against Bayern and Dortmund, while drawing one and losing twice. Myron Boadu leads the goalscoring chart for them with 7 goals and Felix Passlack provides the most assists (3).

Bayer Leverkusen Team News

Xabi Alonso will be without several key players for this match due to injuries. The injury list includes Florian Wirtz, Edmond Tapsoba, Jeanuel Belocian, Mario Hermaso, Martin Terrier, and Nathan Tella. Florian Wirtz has been a big miss for them in recent matches with Bayer Leverkusen missing his creativity and goal contribution in the team.

VfL Bochum Team News

VfL Bochum have only two injury concerns in their squad, as the international break came at the right time, as they welcome players from injury. However, the pair of Bernardo, who is dealing with an Achilles tendon injury, and Koji Mayoshi from a him injury are the players who are ruled out here.

Bayer Leverkusen Vs VfL Bochum Predicted Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup (3-5-2-1):

Goalkeeper: Hradecky

Defenders: Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie

Midfielders: Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo

Attackers: Adli, Garcia, Schick

VfL Bochum predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Goalkeeper: Horn

Defenders: Oermann, Medic, Bernardo

Midfielders: Passlack, Losilla, Sissoko, Krauss, Wittek

Attackers: Hofmann, Masouras

Bayer Leverkusen Vs VfL Bochum H2H Record

Bayer Leverkusen have dominated this fixture in the last five matches, registering three wins against them, drawing one, and losing once. Their most recent fixture ended in a 1-1 draw.

Key players to watch in Bayer Leverkusen Vs VfL Bochum

Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)

Patrik Schick has been in red-hot form for Bayer Leverkusen, leading the goalscoring chart for them with 17 goals in 23 appearances. He also had a wonderful international break, having scored a brace against the Faroe Islands to give his nation a well-deserved victory. Schick has made a drastic improvement in his game, particularly working on his movements and finishing, as now we see him as a poacher inside the box who has netted three goals in his last five matches with an xG of 0.9, as he trails Harry Kane by four goals in the Golden Boot race.

Ibrahima Sissoko (VfL Bochum)

Ibrahima Sissoko has been one of the standout names for VfL Bochum, who has consistently put in impressive performances in the middle of the park.

The defensive midfielder is a destroyer who makes timely tackles and interceptions and also doesn't shy away from putting his body on the line. This season, he has also chipped in with goals with the latest being against Bayern Munich in their famous away victory. So far, he has racked up 36 tackles, 31 interceptions, and an astonishing 118 ball recoveries, showing the defensive balance he brings to the side.

Bayer Leverkusen Vs VfL Bochum Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen have endured a mixed form in their last five matches in all competitions, winning just two of them. They are doing well in the league and are very much in contention for the title with still a lot to play.

However, they will have to be wary of the threat of Bochum, who have shown this season that they can upset the big teams. Nevertheless, considering the season both teams are having, we expect Bayer Leverkusen to secure a close win here.

Predicted Score: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 VfL Bochum

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