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

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Holtmann scored an early Goal of the Season contender - and August Goal of the Month winner - when he dribbled from the halfway line to score Bochum's first in the Bundesliga for over a decade as they beat Mainz 2-0 on Matchday 2. However, the Bundesliga 2 champions have lost both away games either side of that, at Wolfsburg and Cologne. Striker Simon Zoller has also been key to their attacking endeavours with a goal and two assists, while goalkeeper Manuel Riemann has been doing his best to keep things tight at the other end. He's saved 82 per cent of shots he's faced, making the third-most stops in the league with 14. Teenage centre-back Armel Bella Kotchap has started partnering Vasilis Lampropoulos at the back in the absence of Maxim Leitsch, while Ugandan-born Herbert Bockhorn continues to deputise for the vastly experienced Cristian Gamboa at right-back, after the Costa Rica international underwent surgery on an elbow injury.

Boateng started the opening two games but was forced off in the first half of the 2-1 loss to Wolfsburg. His back problem - now overcome - also meant he missed the 5-0 thumping at Bayern Munich last time out, leaving Hertha as the only club without a point in the Bundesliga this season. It's also the Berliners' worst start to a top-flight campaign, and they have therefore looked to strengthen in the transfer market. Boateng has been joined in the Olympiastadion changing room by fellow newcomers Stevan Jovetic, Ishak Belfodil, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Myziane Maolida, Marco Richter and Suat Serdar. Belfodil and Richter could both be handed first starts given the absences of Davie Selke and Krzysztof Piatek in attack. Maximilian Mittelstädt should continue to cover at left-back for Marvin Plattenhardt with the seven-time Germany international not expected to recover from a groin injury in time.

Match stats

Zoller has been directly involved in Bochum's three Bundesliga goals so far this season, scoring one and assisting two.

Sebastian Polter was the match-winner for former club Union Berlin against Hertha, in the Bundesliga's first reunified capital derby back in November 2019.

Bochum have won their last five home matches in a row across seasons.

Jovetic has scored once in four competitive appearances for Hertha.

With three straight losses, Hertha have made their worst ever start to a Bundesliga season. They last lost their opening four games of a top-flight campaign in 1972/73.

However, Hertha have won eight of 11 Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 meetings with Bochum, losing just once.

Probable line-ups

Bochum: Riemann - Bockhorn, Lampropoulos, Bella-Kotchap, Soares - Losilla (c), Tesche - Zoller, Löwen, Holtmann - Polter

Out: Asano (groin), Gamboa (elbow), Leitsch (muscular)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Thomas Reis

Hertha: Schwolow - Zeefuik, Boyata (c), Stark, Mittelstädt - Ascacibar, Tousart - Richter, Serdar, Boateng - Belfodil

Out: M. Dardai (ankle), Jarstein (match fitness), Jovetic (calf), Piatek (ankle), Plattenhardt (groin), Selke (ribs)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Pal Dardai