DFB Pokal 2022-23: VfL Bochum vs Borussia Dortmund: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Yellow and Black army will look to make it past the Undescendables on Wednesday.

The relegation battlers are going up against the mighty force of Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup or DFB Pokal in a mid-week encounter at the Vonovia Hurstadion, Bochum with a capacity crowd of 27,000. The team in 15th place in the Bundesliga will have their task cut out when they face Erin Terzic's Dortmund side which doesn't seem like losing, having won the last five games and looking in tremendous form and peaking at the right time.

Dortmund has also been encouraged by their superb form as they thrashed Freiburg 5-1. With the famous return of Sébastien Haller, who recovered from cancer recently, amongst the five men on the scoresheet. Although Bochum should be encouraged by a really resounding victory over fellow strugglers Hoffenheim, beating them 5-2 at home.

Kick-off: Thursday, 09-02-2023, 1:15 pm (IST), 7:45 pm (GMT)

VfL Bochum form (all competitions): W-L-L-W-DBorussia Dortmund form (all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Players to watch out for

Borussia Dortmund

Julian Brandt

The German playmaker has been a crucial part of the Dortmund side who've scored 38 goals in the Bundesliga this season, where he's contributed 5 goals and 4 assists in all competitions, 19 games so far. He seems to have found his footing and has been consistently playing well for his side, and his off-the-ball work rate has also improved this season. He scored a wonderful goal at the weekend against Freiburg in the Bundesliga and will be expected to deliver yet again in the Cup.

VfL Bochum

Phillip Hofmann

The German striker has been a key contributor in the survival struggle for a Bundesliga contributing with 7 goals and an assist in 19 games. He'll also be relied upon yet again to deliver the goods against a much-fancied side, as he'll be expected to lead the line a score if they have any chance against much stronger opponents.

Team & Injury News

For Dortmund, Thomas Meunier, Mateu Morey and Abdoulaye Kamara are all expected to remain sidelined, with injuries.

Bochum will remain without Cristian Gamboa due to a serious knee injury. While backup goalkeepers Michael Esser and Paul Grave are both sidelined due to muscle and shoulder issues respectively.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches: 8

Dortmund: 4Bochum: 3Draw: 1

Predicted lineups

VfL Bochum predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

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

Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro; Can, Bellingham; Brandt, Reus, Adeyemi; Haller

Match Prediction

Borussia Dortmund looks in extremely fine form and also almost looks unbeatable in the manner in which they're playing in the German top flight. Away days can be a tough experience for any travelling side in Germany, but with a DFB Pokal encounter, the pressure should be much less and a calm and assured performance, alongside world-class quality, should get them through.

Prediction: VfL Bochum 1 - 3 Borussia Dortmund

Telecast

India – Sony Ten Network and SonyLiv

UK – Star, Star +, Sky Sports

USA – ESPN+

Nigeria – SportyTV