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

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Bochum saw their three game unbeaten run (W2, D1) come to an end on Matchday 16 as an impressive Arminia Bielefeld ran out 2-0 winners. With five wins from their last nine matches, however, Bochum have been in superb recent form and they still have a seven point buffer to Bielefeld in the automatic relegation places. Sebastian Polter has impressively powered his team's recent run and the 30-year-old has four goals from his last four outings. He will continue to lead the line and should be flanked in attack by Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Gerrit Holtmann in the continued absence of Danny Blum through injury. Danilo Soares is a doubt with a back injury, which could see Konstantinos Stafylidis start at left-back if the Brazilian isn't passed fit in time.

As for Union, they've gone two games without a win after becoming the first side in 2021/22 to be beaten by Greuther Fürth on Matchday 15 and then having to settle for a goalless draw at Freiburg in midweek. Kruse was rested for the latter, cutting a rare figure as an unused member of Union's substitute bench. He should return to the starting XI in place of Genki Haraguchi and will be hoping to address his side's back-to-back blanks. As will Awoniyi and Sheraldo Becker - who is eight league games without finding the back of the net - who should sit ahead of Kruse in attack for Die Eisernen. Other than injured youngster Laurenz Dehl, Urs Fischer has a full squad at his disposal as Union look to end the year on a high.

Match stats

These two have met 21 times in all competitions previously - 20 in Bundesliga 2, one in the DFB Cup - but never in the Bundesliga. Unione currently hold the advantage with 11 wins to Bochum's seven and there has been one draw.

Goalkeeper Manuel Riemann has made 64 saves in the Bundesliga this season - only Bayer Leverkusen custodian Lukas Hradecky (68) has made more.

Milos Pantovic has scored two goals this term, both of which came on home turf from near the halfway line.

Kruse has two goals and three assists in the Bundesliga so far in 2021/22.

His strike partner Awoniyi leads the way for Union this season with nine goals, behind only Robert Lewandowski (16), Patrik Schick (14) and Erling Haaland (11) overall.

Union have only won once away from home in the Bundesliga this term, a 2-1 success in Mainz at the start of October.

Probable line-ups

Bochum: Riemann - Gamboa, Masovic, Lampropoulos, Stafylidis - Pantovic, Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj - Antwi-Adjei, Polter, Holtmann

Out: Blum (muscular), Decarli (shoulder), Löwen (not included), Zoller (knee)

Doubtful: Soares (back)

Coach: Thomas Reis

Union: Luthe - Friedrich (c), Knoche, Baumgartl - Ryerson, Khedira, Prömel, Gießelmann - Kruse - Becker, Awoniyi

Out: Dehl (operation)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Urs Fischer