Bundesliga | Gameweek 12

Nov 30, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

WWK Arena

Augsburg vs. VfL Bochum

Match preview

The 3-0 scoreline doesn't reflect how well the hosts defended against Bayern. They kept them at bay until the Bavarians scored in the 62nd minute, and even then, their subsequent attempts weren't particularly threatening.

Boss Jess Thorup said he was proud of his players for their defensive performances, but that they could have done better at crucial moments. "Apart from the two penalties, we defended pretty well." They had a lot of shots on goal, but they didn't really pose a threat in the first half. "Our team was well-organised and that made it difficult for them."

Augsburg's Bundesliga record of 13 goals scored and 23 conceded makes them the division's joint fifth-worst offensive and third-worst defensive club in the top flight.

Before they lost to Bayern, the Fuggerstadter had drawn two and won two of the previous four games and had won two and drawn two of their last five league matches.

Thorup's side have been great at home, winning four, drawing two and losing just once in their seven games at WWK Arena.

New Bochum head coach Dieter Hecking took charge of his first game against champions Bayer Leverkusen on 9 November and managed to earn a valuable point, but his team lost last time out against Stuttgart in his second outing.

Stuttgart had three great opportunities, hit the post twice and had 12 shots from inside the box, while the Blues had two great chances and had four efforts from inside the penalty area.

Hecking's team haven't won any games this season and have lost 10 of their 12 matches, including four of their last five.

Bochum have had a tough time this season, but at least they've scored 10 Bundesliga goals, which is more than two other teams in the top flight. However, they've also conceded 32 goals, which is the worst in the league.

The visitors have been struggling away from home, losing all seven of their away matches this season.

Recent Performance

Augsburg Bundesliga form:WLWDDL

Augsburg form (all competitions):LWWDDL

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:LLLLDL

Team News

The hosts will be without suspended centre-back Kevin Schlotterbeck, as well as defenders Dimitrios Giannoulis, Reece Oxford, Robert Gumny and Tim Breithaupt.

It looks like Augsburg will go with a back three of Maximilian Bauer, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Chrislain Matsima, with wing-backs Marius Wolf and Mads Valentin Pedersen likely to flank the trio.

Fredrik Jensen won't be playing, so Thorup might put Alexis Claude-Maurice and Phillip Tietz up front.

Bochum have a relatively healthy squad, but they're without striker Myron Boadu, who won't be back in action until mid-next month.

Forward Aliou Balde is suspended, and with Philipp Hofmann and Moritz Broschinski starting against Stuttgart, it's likely they'll keep their places in the XI.

Goalkeeper Patrick Drewes might be protected by centre-backs Tim Oermann, Jakov Medic and Maximilian Bernardo.

Possible starting lineup

Augsburg possible starting lineup:

Labrovic; Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Matsima; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Rexhbecaj, Pedersen; Claude-Maurice, Tietz

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Drewes; Oermann, Medic, Bernardo; Passlack, Sissoko, Losilla, Bero, Wittek; Hofmann, Broschinski