09 December 2021, 11:47 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Bundesliga fixture, VfL Bochum 1848 vs. Borussia Dortmund, kicks off at 15:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday, December 11, at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.
Preview VfL Bochum 1848 Bundesliga, Dec 11, 2021
Preview Bochum defeated FC Augsburg, 3-2, at the WWK Arena in what was the first meeting between the two sides in Germany's top-flight division. Bochum’s Sebastian Polter (23') bagged the opener inside half an hour to leave the victors in the lead. Minutes later, a thunderous effort from Holtmann (40') gave Bochum a comfortable two-goal lead. A remarkable header at the stroke of half-time saw Polter (45'+2) complete the brace, his first ever in the German Bundesliga, to see Bochum with a three-goal lead. The last time Bochum had a wider margin lead at the break, away from home, was in December 1989. However, Augsburg found their way back into the game, after a towering header from Gregoritsch (57') cut Bochum’s lead down to two. Bochum's lead was further reduced when Daniel Caligiuri (86' P.) converted from the spot, resulting in a tense finish. Bochum returns to this contest of ninety minutes with back-to-back victories, LWLWW, having moved three spots up the Bundesliga table, from 13th to 10th place. Mid-table Bochum has 19 points after 6W, 1D, and 7L. For this game against Dortmund, the attacking 4—3—3 formation with Asano, Polter, and Holtmann is expected from Thomas Reis. Focusing on the injury list, Decarli (shoulder) is ruled out, alongside Zoller (knee), while Löwen has been left out of the squad.
Preview Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga, Dec 11, 2021
Preview Despite a five-goal haul against Beşiktaş, Dortmund were only good enough for a place in the Europa League, having finished third in UCL Group-C at the end of UEFA Champions League Matchday 6. Back on home soil, the fallout from Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich is still being felt after recent reports emerged that Jude Bellingham was fined following comments made after der Klassiker defeat. The England international was fined a hefty sum of €40,000 following his comments about referee Felix Zwayer. A 77th-minute penalty by Robert Lewandowski settled the topsy-turvy five-goal thriller, leaving the 18-year-old incensed. You give a referee [Felix Zwayer], that has match fixed before the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect? Bellingham asked while speaking to Viaplay. The comments have since landed him in hot water as the police have opened an investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, Dortmund remains in 2nd place, four points behind Bayern, having picked up 30 points from 10W, 0D, & 4L. Marco Rose and Die Schwarzgelben aim for a quick return to winning ways (WLWWL) on Saturday. Marco Rose’s 4—3—3 formation will see Erling Haaland at the focal point of attack against Bochum. Julian Brandt (concussion), Hitz (Achilles), and Meunier (muscular) are on the list of possible absentees, while Reyna is struggling for match fitness.