Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bochum: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Wirtz was in whirlwind form at the beginning of the campaign but has endured a recent dip, as have Leverkusen collectively. Die Werkself stretched their winless run to four games by drawing 1-1 with Hertha Berlin prior to the international break and have slipped out of the top four as a result. That draw in the capital was secured by Robert Andrich's 90th-minute strike, and Gerardo Seoane will have been pleased to have the international break to reset a side that sat second as recently as Matchday 8. Wirtz was missing for the Hertha draw with a muscular injury, but Leverkusen will hope the international window has given the 18-year-old enough time to return to the side. Question marks remain over primary strikers Patrik Schick and Lucas Alario, so Amine Adli could start up front again, with Paulinho and Moussa Diaby in support.

Bochum's form has been going in the opposite direction with Thomas Reis' men soaring into the international break. A 2-0 win over Hoffenheim on Matchday 11 was their third win in four, all of which have been secured with a clean sheet. Considering they had one win in seven prior to their recent upturn, it has been some turnaround and Bochum have now motored into 12th position. A win would take them into the top half of the table. Reis' primary injury concern is Danny Blum, who picked up a thigh strain in the first half of the victory over TSG. If Blum isn't fit to start on the left of Bochum's front three, Christopher Antwi-Adjei should take his place.

Match stats

Wirtz scored, assisted or both in his first six Bundesliga appearances of the season, but hasn't contributed to a goal in his last two.

Bayer have scored at least once in every league game so far this term featuring eight-goal top scorer Schick, but have only netted one in two without him.

Leverkusen's three Bundesliga defeats under Seoane have come on home soil.

Bochum pair Blum and Sebastian Polter are level with Simon Zoller on a team-leading two goals for the season.

Bochum have lost five of their last six away games, only winning at rock-bottom Greuther Fürth.

However, the promoted club - along with Wolfsburg - lead the way for clean sheets (five).

Probable line-ups

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie - Andrich, Demirbay - Diaby, Wirtz, Paulinho - Adli

Out: Alario (calf), Bakker (ankle), Baumgartlinger (knee), Fosu-Mensah (knee)

Doubtful: Aranguiz (calf), Schick (ankle)

Coach: Gerardo Seoane

Bochum: Riemann - Stafylidis, Masovic, Lampropoulos, Soares - Löwen, Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj - Asano, Polter, Antwi-Adjei

Out: Zoller (knee)

Doubtful: Blum (thigh), Decarli (shoulder), Holtmann (groin), Tesche (hip)

Coach: Thomas Reis