Preview: Bayern Munich vs. VfL Bochum - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, moved outside of the bottom three by winning a fifth successive home match last weekend.

Match preview

Having drawn three consecutive matches following the return of the Bundesliga after the recent World Cup in Qatar, Bayern were under significant pressure to beat Wolfsburg and return to top of the table.

Indeed, Union Berlin's 2-1 win against Mainz 05 on Saturday had seen Urs Fischer's side reach the summit ahead of Bayern's trip to Lower Saxony on Sunday, but an early brace from Kingsley Coman settled any Bavarian nerves before Thomas Muller gave his team a healthy three-goal cushion within the opening 20 minutes.

Securing three points appeared much less of a certainty when Jakub Kaminski pulled one back on the stroke of half-time before Joshua Kimmich was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence nine minutes after the break, but Jamal Musiala's strike rendered Mattias Svanberg's goal little more than a consolation one late on.

With none of their rivals playing before them this weekend, Bayern have the chance to lay down a marker by beating Bochum at the Allianz Arena to ensure that they remain in pole position in the league ahead of a mouth-watering trip to the French capital to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

Bochum, meanwhile, continue to recover from an incredibly difficult start to the campaign in miraculous fashion, with their 5-2 win against Hoffenheim last weekend moving them outside of the relegation places.

After picking up just one point from their opening eight league games, Bochum appeared to have been struck by 'second season syndrome' having comfortably survived their first season back in Germany's top-flight for more than a decade. However, the decision to replace Thomas Reis - who has since joined relegation rivals Schalke 04 - with Thomas Letsch has already been vindicated.

Indeed, since leaving Vitesse Arnhem to join Die Unabsteigbaren in late September, the 54-year-old has astonishingly won all five of his home games in charge in the league, beating top sides such as Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Berlin while winning six-pointers against Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim along the way.

Bochum were beaten by Borussia Dortmund at Vonovia Ruhrstadion in the DFB-Pokal in midweek, though, as they missed out on the chance to reach the quarter-finals of Germany's domestic cup for the fourth time in 11 seasons.

Having lost six of his seven away games on the road in the Bundesliga, there clearly remains plenty of work for Letsch to do if Bochum are to remain clear of danger, although they will be realistic regarding their chances at the home of the reigning champions on Saturday.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:

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Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

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VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:

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VfL Bochum form (all competitions):

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Team News

Bayern will be without the suspended Kimmich after the midfielder's red card against Wolfsburg, with the club's decision to allow Marcel Sabitzer to join Manchester United on loan on transfer deadline day seeming questionable in light of Ryan Gravenberch's knee injury.

Musiala may occupy a deeper midfield role alongside Leon Goretzka, with Eric Choupo-Moting returning in attack ahead of Muller. With Sadio Mane, Lucas Hernandez, Manuel Neuer and Noussair Mazraoui all still sidelined, Nagelsmann's ability to rotate ahead of his side's crucial European tie against PSG on Tuesday is limited.

However, Daley Blind could earn his first start at left-back in order to allow Alphonso Davies a rest, while Serge Gnabry may feel that he is overdue a start in attack.

Bochum, meanwhile, will travel without Cristian Gamboa, Michael Esser and Paul Grave due to injury, but otherwise Letsch appears to have a fully fit squad at his disposal.

The former Vitesse boss made no changes for his side's defeat to Dortmund in the cup on Wednesday, suggesting he has a clear first XI in mind at present. As such, he may ask the same players to go out once more as they look to inflict a major upset on their more illustrious opponents.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Cancelo, Pavard, De Ligt, Blind; Musiala, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Coman; Choupo-Moting

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Riemann; Janko, Ordets, Masovic, Soares; Losilla, Stoger; Asano, Forster, Antwi-Adjei; Hofmann

We say: Bayern Munich 3-0 VfL Bochum

Although Bochum have undoubtedly hugely improved under Letsch's management, their away from has remained poor. Bayern should be confident of earning a comfortable victory here.

Nagelsmann will be keen for his players to secure an early healthy lead, with the 35-year-old likely to have one eye on taking their foot off the gas ahead of his side's forthcoming European tie against PSG on Tuesday.

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