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

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Bochum were eight minutes away from grabbing a point at home to Leipzig last Sunday until Man of the Matchday Christopher Nkunku popped up with a late winner for the visitors. That ended a four-game unbeaten run for Thomas Reis' side but back-to-back outings on home soil present them with an excellent opportunity to earn a ninth win of the campaign. They were narrowly beaten in extra-time by Freiburg in the DFB Cup quarter-final in midweek, and a third game in seven days will test the depth of Reis' squad. The Bochum boss has a decision to make in attack, with Asano's place on the left-wing being challenged by the trio of Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Danny Blum and Gerrit Holtmann. If Asano does make way, Holtmann is the front-runner to replace him. Winter signing Jürgen Locadia picked up a knock in the cup, meaning top scorer Sebastian Polter - who scored against Freiburg - should start in attack.

It was Fürth that were doing the salvaging in their last outing, as Sebastian Griesbeck struck the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Cologne. The Cloverleaves were runners-up to Bochum in the second division in 2020/21 and, while this weekend's hosts have opened up a six point gap to the promotion/relegation playoff place, the visitors are nine points adrift of Hertha Berlin in 16th place. It leaves Stefan Leitl's side up against it as they look to secure a second successive season in the top-flight but they're certainly making a fist of things. Just three defeats in their last 10 and two wins from their last five is a marked improvement, but Fürth still need to be almost faultless from here on out. Top scoring captain Branimir Hrgota will need to be at his best over the remainder of the campaign if he's to lead his team to the greatest of escapes. He should continue to be partnered by Jamie Leweling in attack and, while summer signing Gideon Jung is nearing a return, he's not expected to feature in any major capacity.

Match stats

Asano is one of 12 different scorers at Bochum this season. Polter tops the list with seven goals.

Bochum have claimed 21 of their 29 points on home soil, and are yet to lose successive games at their Ruhrstadion in 2021/22.

Reis' side have conceded 28 goals fewer (34) than Fürth (62).

Half of Hrgota's career-best eight Bundesliga goals this season have fallen across his last four games.

Julian Green is yet to score in 19 Bundesliga appearances. He's also faced Bochum six times without finding the net.

Fürth are unbeaten in their last six home games, but have picked up a league-low one point from a possible 36 on the road.

Probable line-ups

Bochum: Riemann - Gamboa, Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares - Löwen, Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj - Pantovic, Polter, Holtmann

Out: Zoller (knee), Locadia (knock), Tesche (ankle)

Doubtful: Decarli (knock)

Coach: Thomas Reis

Fürth: Linde - Meyerhöfer, Griesbeck, Viergever, Itter - Seguin, Christiansen, Tillman - Dudziak - Leweling, Hrgota (c)

Out: Funk (knee), Kehr (knee)

Doubtful: Jung (knee), Ngankam (knee)

Coach: Stefan Leitl