Bochum vs. RB Leipzig: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog

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After beating Bayern Munich 4-2, Bochum were brought back down to earth last weekend with a 1-1 draw at VfB Stuttgart, with a late Eduard Löwen penalty salvaging them a point. Elvis Rexhbecaj missed that game through suspension, but he should return on Sunday, most likely as a replacement for Milos Pantovic in midfield. With only striker Simon Zoller sidelined with a knee injury, Bochum coach Thomas Reis is almost spoilt for choice when picking his starting XI and that gives him plenty of options in attack, such as Takuma Asano, Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Holtmann in behind Jürgen Locadia.

After beating Hertha Berlin 6-1 last weekend, Leipzig were back in European action on Thursday, with a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad. With just a handful of days to prepare for the return to league action, and coach Domenico Tedesco could rotate his team slightly for the trip to Bochum, although one man he can hardly do without is Nkunku. The French forward has excelled of late with the freedom afforded to him by Tedesco's style of play, and he should again be one of the first names the Leipzig coach scribbles on his teamsheet. Angelino could see his minutes managed even with fellow left-footed defender Josko Gvardiol suspended.

Match stats

Anthony Losilla (35) is the veteran in the league's second-oldest team, with Bochum's averaging 28.08 years (only Union Berlin's average of 28.62 is higher).

The Berlin clubs are the only two to have won in Bochum this season, with the hosts picking up 21 out of a possible 29 points at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.

Since losing 3-0 to Leipzig on Matchday 7, no club have conceded fewer than Bochum's 16 goals.

Nkunku has scored in three straight Bundesliga games and has six goals in 2022 - only Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski (nine) has more since the turn of the year.

Leipzig have never lost to a promoted team in their Bundesliga history, boasting a record of 19 wins and three draws.

Against Bochum, Leipzig have a flawless record of six wins out of six.

Probable line-ups

Bochum: Riemann - Gamboa, Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares - Losilla (c), Osterhage - Rexhbecaj - Antwi-Adjei, Locadia, Holtmann

Out: Zoller (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Thomas Reis

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Simakan, Orban, Klostermann - Henrichs, Laimer, Haidara, Angelino - Olmo - Silva, Nkunku

Out: Gvardiol (suspended), Halstenberg (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Domenico Tedesco