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

The visitors will be looking to bounce back from their crushing 7-0 defeat to Bayern Munich last time out.

Match preview

After losing 3-1 at home to Borussia Dortmund in their previous game after a late flurry of action from BVB's substitutes, Freiburg travelled to Stuttgart determined to make a statement with their reaction.

Christian Streich, who was managing his 400th game for the club having been in charge for more than a decade, had led Freiburg to victories away to Stuttgart in each of the past two seasons, and his side extended that record to three on the bounce last weekend.

In a very even contest, Vincenzo Grifo bagged his second strike of the season by arriving undetected at the back post to meet Kiliann Sildillia's teasing cross from the right flank, with Stuttgart unable to find a response despite the dangerous Borna Sosa proving a constant thorn in the visitors' side.

Streich will feel confident that his team can record their third win in four matches when they take on Bochum on Friday, with the Europa-Park Stadion likely to be at its loudest as they look to help their side to a first home win of what could prove to be a very successful season.

Bochum, meanwhile, remain without a point after three matches and dropped to bottom of the table after their 7-0 thumping at the hands of reigning champions Bayern.

Despite inflicting Julian Nagelsmann's heaviest defeat as Bayern boss so far with a 4-2 win last season, few people gave Die Unabsteigbaren any chance of recording an upset this time around after their disappointing start to the season.

With Bayern already scoring six against Eintracht Frankfurt and five against RB Leipzig - two teams who will represent Germany in the Champions League this season - Bochum boss Thomas Reis will be keen to remind his players that, on their day, the Bavarians are capable of scoring a hatful against any team in world football.

However, some of Bochum's defending was careless, with Cristian Gamboa enduring a nightmare in particular with a scruffy own goal after already almost gifting a goal away in the first-half with a brainless headed backpass.

At 1-0 down, Anthony Losilla did blaze over a presentable opportunity to level the proceedings, but that was the closest Bochum came to beating Manuel Neuer, with a much better defensive display required in order to avoid defeat in Freiburg on Friday.

Freiburg Bundesliga form:

Freiburg form (all competitions):

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:

VfL Bochum form (all competitions):

Team News

Freiburg may be missing Maximilian Eggestein for a few weeks after the midfielder fractured his forearm against Stuttgart. Remarkably, the former Werder Bremen midfielder played on after the freak incident, which occurred in the 87th minute.

Yannik Keitel may replace him in central midfield, with Streich unlikely to make any other changes after a solid victory last time out.

Kimberly Ezekwem, Lukas Kubler, Lucas Holer and Kevin Schade all remain sidelined for the hosts.

Bochum, meanwhile, have a series of muscle injuries at the club, with Paul Grave, Patrick Osterhage, Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Kostas Stafylidis and Jannes Horn all unlikely to make the trip to Freiburg.

Jordi Osei-Tutu could be restored to the starting XI as Reis looks to find a greater balance between defence and attack, with Philipp Forster potentially making way to accommodate the wing-back, while Jacek Goralski could make his first start for the club in place of club captain Losilla.

Danilo Soares remains sidelined with a hip injury, which is likely to keep him out until mid-September.

Freiburg possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Keitel, Hofler; Sallai, Doan, Grifo; Gregoritsch

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Riemann; Gamboa, Ordets, Heintz; Osei-Tutu, Stoger, Goralski, Janko; Asano; Hofmann, Zoller

We say: Freiburg 2-0 VfL Bochum

While Bochum will be hungry to bite back after their thumping at the hands of Bayern last week, we expect Freiburg to be too strong for their opponents.

Streich have the momentum and quality to challenge for the European places once again this season, whereas it would be a surprise if Bochum are not embroiled in a relegation battle.

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