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

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Bochum lost 1-0 at Bayer Leverkusen last time out, but are unbeaten in their last three on home soil, winning two. As is so often the case with promoted sides, it's their home form - 10 points from a possible 15 compared to three from 21 away - that's keeping the Ruhr district outfit in business. Thomas Reis's ensemble begin the weekend in 13th place, three points clear of the relegation play-off spot occupied by VfB Stuttgart, but with question-marks over the fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Riemann. Veteran Michael Esser is on standby for a potential first Bundesliga appearance since Hannover's ill-fated 2018/19 campaign, but isn't expected to be needed. Forwards Danny Blum and Gerrit Holtmann, and midfielder Robert Tesche should also be available after missing the Leverkusen defeat through injury.

Freiburg travel north relatively free of personnel concerns, but in need of a pick-me-up following back-to-back losses to Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt. A third straight Bundesliga defeat - something they haven't experienced since November 2020 - could see Die Breisgauer fall as low as sixth. Victory, on the other hand, would consolidate third place for another week. To that end, head coach Christian Streich is expected to stick with the starting line-up that has underpinned the south-west club's best ever start to a Bundesliga campaign. With Nils Petersen sidelined and the likes of Ermin Demirovic and Roland Sallai further down the pecking order, that means a forward line of three-goal top scorers Jeong, Lucas Höler and Vincenzo Grifo. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck went off at half-time a week ago, but is expected to start.

Match stats

With a top speed of 21.83 mph (35.14 kmh), Takuma Asano is Bochum's fastest player this season, and joint 13th quickest in the league. He hasn't scored in the Bundesliga since 24 November 2017, though.

Bochum defender Danilo Soares has won more one-on-one duels (175) than any other player in the Bundesliga this term.

This fixture has averaged over three goals per game in the 14 top-flight meetings to date; it has never finished goalless.

Jeong is producing career-best numbers at Freiburg, with seven goals in 43 competitive appearances.

Only two defenders have provided more assists than Christian Günter's three this season (Dayot Upamecano and Jeremie Frimpong both have four).

Freiburg have scored a league-high four goals from corners so far in 2021/22.

Probable line-ups

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

Out: Decarli (shoulder), Osterhage (muscular), Zoller (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Thomas Reis

Freiburg: Flekken - Gulde, Lienhart, N. Schlotterbeck - Kübler, Eggestein, Höfler, Günter (c) - Jeong, Höler, Grifo

Out: Petersen (knee), Schmid (match fitness)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Christian Streich