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

The visitors come into the game off the back of a goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League after beating Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin last weekend.

Match preview

Thomas Letsch's first game as Bochum manager did not go according to plan, as the Blues were beaten convincingly by RB Leipzig.

Leipzig dominated the game from start to finish, having 17 shots and 71% possession, compared to Bochum's two shots and 29% possession.

A brace from former Chelsea man Timo Werner, and another from Christopher Nkunku, ensured Bochum's wait for their maiden win of the season continued.

Letsch joined the German outfit after guiding Vitesse to successive top-six finishes in his two seasons in the Eredivisie and he will be aware of the size of the challenge that lies before him.

Bochum remain four points adrift at the bottom of the Bundesliga, having conceded 23 goals in their opening eight league fixtures.

However, their losing streak did at least come to an end before the international break in a 1-1 draw with Koln, so Letsch will be aiming to end the barren spell in his first home game in charge.

At the halfway mark in the Champions League group stages, Frankfurt will be pleased with their progress given how their campaign began.

The German outfit endured the worst possible start, losing 3-0 to Sporting Lisbon in front of their own fans.

However, the draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening gives them four points after three games, as they narrowly beat Marseille on matchday two.

Last time out in the Bundesliga, Frankfurt toppled league leaders Union Berlin at Deutsche Bank Park.

Goals from Mario Gotze and Jesper Lindstrom ensured the Eagles became the first team this season to beat Urs Fischer's side.

That emphatic victory made it back-to-back wins for Frankfurt after a 3-1 success on the road against Stuttgart before the international break.

The recent upturn in form has resulted in Oliver Glasner's side moving up to sixth in the table, just one point adrift of the Champions League places.

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:

L

L

L

L

D

L

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:

D

W

W

L

W

W

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

W

D

Team News

Bochum will be without Takuma Asano due to a serious knee injury, while Kostas Stafylidis and Dominique Heintz both have muscular problems and are doubtful for this game.

Letsch opted for a back five in his first game in charge, so that formation is expected once again here.

Randal Kolo Muani dismissal for the visitors against Union Berlin means he will miss the trip to the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.

Meanwhile, Mario Gotze remains a doubt for Frankfurt after missing the Champions League tie against Spurs due to an ankle injury sustained in the Eagles' win over Berlin.

Croatian midfielder Kristijan Jakic, who missed last weekend's win with injury, returned to action against Spurs, so he could be given the nod to start.

Summer signing Jerome Onguene has been kept out with a hip problem, meaning Makoto Hasebe could retain his place in the defence.

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Riemann; Oermann, Ordets, Horn; Gamboa, Losilla, Goralski, Osterhage, Soares; Zoller, Holtmann

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Tuta, Haebe, Ndicka; Kanuff, Sow, Rode, Pellegrini; Lindstrom, Kamada, Borre

We say: VfL Bochum 0-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

Thomas Letsch has been handed a difficult start to life as VfL Bochum manager, and we struggle to see them getting any positive result here.

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