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

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Asano was powerless to prevent a 2-1 defeat away at Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, which ended Bochum's run of three straight victories in all competitions. Back-to-back Bundesliga wins over Greuther Fürth and Eintracht Frankfurt have seen last season's Bundesliga 2 champions put four points between themselves and the bottom two. Experienced Japan international Asano is set to continue as part of a front three, while Danny Blum has blossomed in recent weeks and scored two of their last three league goals. After only coming off the bench to put away his excellent free-kick in Gladbach, he's in line for a start.

Visitors Hoffenheim will be looking to pick up a second win in a row, having downed Hertha Berlin 2-0 on Matchday 10. Sebastian Hoeneß will be hoping that Andrej Kramaric can once again be the man to power Hoffenheim's attack. The Croatia international got the goals flowing against Hertha, scoring his second of the season to go along with his highly impressive six assists. The Sinsheimers still have a number of defenders missing, while Bayern Munich youth product Angelo Stiller is a doubt. Sebastian Rudy should drop deeper, allowing playmaker Christoph Baumgartner a first start in three weeks.

Match stats

Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann has kept clean sheets in three out of four home games this season. His four all told is a league best together with Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann.

Blum has scored twice in the last two games to double his Bundesliga tally from his first 20 appearances in the top flight.

Ten points from the first 10 games is Bochum's best return in the Bundesliga since they had the same amount in 2004/05.

Kramaric has had a direct hand in eight of Hoffenheim's 19 goals this campaign, coming at a rate of one every 111 minutes.

The Sinsheim club's four wins this season have seen them score 14 and concede just once. Their four defeats saw them concede 12 and score only three.

TSG failed to win any of their four games against promoted clubs last season.

Probable line-ups

Bochum: Riemann - Stafylidis, Masovic, Lampropoulos, Soares - Pantovic, Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj - Asano, Polter, Blum

Out: Bockhorn (thigh), Leitsch (thigh), Tesche (hip), Zoller (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Thomas Reis

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Posch, Grillitsch, Vogt - Akpoguma, Rudy, Samassekou, Raum - Baumgartner - Bebou, Kramaric

Out: Bicakcic (knee), Hübner (back), John (shoulder), Kaderabek (ankle)

Doubtful: Geiger (foot), Stiller (shin)

Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß