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

The hosts will look to repeat their big win in league action last weekend, against their newly-promoted visitors who have struggled to adapt to life in Germany's top flight.

Match preview

After Christopher Nkunku continued his fine recent form with a goal inside the fifth minute in Tuesday's Champions League tie at home to Club Brugge, Leipzig will have expected to cruise to a comfortable win.

However, their Belgian opponents had other ideas and hit back with two goals before half time in a poor first half display from the hosts.

Despite introductions at half time, and dominating the play in the second half, Die Roten Bullen could not find a way through and fell to their second disappointing defeat from two in Europe this season.

Jesse Marsch and his side will have been expected to pick up from where they left off in league action last weekend, when Leipzig hammered Hertha Berlin 6-0 in a scintillating display.

Nkunku bagged himself a brace in that match, and Tuesday's goal took his record to seven goals and three assists in all competitions already this season, despite his side's relatively poor start to the campaign.

The title-hopefuls find themselves sitting in 10th place after the opening six fixtures, in what is a disappointing start to the new manager's tenure in charge.

Marsch will be looking for his side to put the loss in midweek behind them and focus instead on the positives of the display against Hertha last weekend, to ensure an expected win on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Bochum's return to the Bundesliga for the first time since the 2009-10 season has not started pleasantly as it stands currently, with the newly-promoted side sitting in 17th place after their opening six fixtures.

There was not much expectation placed on the shoulders of manager Thomas Reis and his players though, with the German boss leading the club back to the top flight against the odds last season.

Trips to Leipzig on Saturday will be one of those free swings during a tough season, which the manager will be hoping his side can enjoy as a reward for their efforts last campaign.

However, another of those enjoyable occasions was supposed to arrive at the Allianz Arena two matchdays ago, when Bochum were hit for seven at reigning champions Bayern Munich.

Reis will be looking for his players to repeat the efforts of last weekend instead, where Die Unabsteigbaren followed up the thrashing with a hard-fought goalless draw against Stuttgart, and could have nicked the three points had it not been for some missed opportunities.

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:

Team News

Leipzig and Spain midfielder Dani Olmo remains on the sidelines due to a thigh injury ahead of Saturday's match, but his absence should not be too sorely missed should Nkunku continue his fine form.

Long-term absentees Marcel Halstenberg and Marcelo Saracchi also remain unavailable again for the hosts.

After missing out on the starting lineup in midweek, the likes of Angelino, Amadou Haidara and Josko Gvardiol are expected to return from the start against Bochum.

As for the visitors, they remain without important striker Simon Zoller due to a knee injury, along with defenders Cristian Gamboa and Maxim Leitsch.

As a result, Reis could decide to stick with the same lineup that earned a solid draw against Stuttgart last time out.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol; Mukiele, Haidara, Kampl, Angelino; Nkunku, Silva, Forsberg

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Riemann; Bockhorn, Bella-Kotchap, Masovic, Soares; Losilla, Rexhbecaj; Antwi-Adjei, Lowen, Holtmann; Polter

We say: RB Leipzig 4-0 VfL Bochum

We are fully expecting Leipzig to return to winning ways in this one, despite their setback in midweek. The quality difference between the two sides is vast, so a threat from Bochum is not to be expected and a comfortable home win should be played out.