Bayer Leverkusen vs VfL Bochum: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Xabi Alonso and Co will be aiming to enter the Bundesliga winter break ‘unbeaten’

On Matchday 15 of the Bundesliga 2023-24, Bayer 04 Leverkusen were up against 2021-22 UEFA Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt. Still, there was no stopping to the side in red hot form. Another 3 points on the table to make it 39 after 15 games. Now Alonso’s men will be up against a side that is quietly turning around their season.

The VfL Bochum side seemed doomed for relegation. After 9 league games, they had 0 wins. But what a decent turnaround in form. The team led by Thomas Letsch has now won 3 games in their last 6 league fixtures while also losing just once in the last seven games. Bochum posted a 3-0 win over 1. FC Union Berlin last time out.

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 20 December 2023 at 7:30 PM UK

Thursday, 21 December 2023 at 1:00 AM IST

Location: BayArena

Form

Leverkusen (in all competitions): W-W-D-W-D

VfL Bochum (in all competitions): W-L-W-D-D

Players to Watch

Victor Boniface (Leverkusen)

The Nigerian forward was involved in all three goals against Frankfurt. In the first half, Victor Boniface scored himself. In the second half, his shot on goal rebounded off the opposition keeper Kevin Trapp which Jeremie Frimpong neatly pounced on. Florian Wirtz’s goal for the night was assisted by Boniface as well.

Takuma Asano (VfL Bochum)

The Japanese centre forward who joined the Bochum side back in July 2021 is proving to be an invaluable asset. Current head coach Thomas Letsch is using the services of Takuma Asano efficiently from the left wing this season. Asano has started every league game scoring 5 goals in the meantime.

Match Facts

• Leverkusen’s Boniface has 7 assists to place him second on the assists chart while his 9 goals are ranked fourth in the league
• Only Xabi Alonso’s side remain undefeated across the top five European leagues
• The Die Blauen’s 3 wins in 15 league games have come in the last six games. The visitors also have only lost once in the last seven fixtures

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Injury & Team News

Last game, Exequiel Palacios received a yellow card which happens to be his fifth of the season. He will be suspended from competing in this one for the same. While Die Werkself’s only long-term absentee remains right back Arthur. He is expected to return in March 2024.

Just like Palacios, Bochum’s Kevin Stöger will miss this game due to the fifth yellow card accumulation for the season in the last game. Philipp Förster, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Erhan Masovic still have a few days to make a return. Others who are expected to be back by late December or beyond include – Mohammed Tolba, Michael Esser, Mats Pannewig, Lys Mousset and Ivan Ordets.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 10

Leverkusen wins – 6

VfL Bochum wins – 3

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineup

Leverkusen predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Hrádecký (GK); Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Boniface

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

Riemann (GK); Gamboa, Oermann, Schlotterbeck, Bernardo; Losilla, Osterhage, Daschner; Asano, Paciência, Antwi-Adjei

Match Prediction for Bayer Leverkusen vs VfL Bochum

It is very hard to go against Bayer 04 Leverkusen right now. VfL Bochum might bring surprise elements to the game for sure but Xabi Alonso won’t be deterred. Another win is on the cards for current Bundesliga league leaders.

Prediction: Leverkusen 3-0 VfL Bochum

Telecast for Bayer Leverkusen vs VfL Bochum

India – Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV

UK – Sky Sports

US –  ESPN+

Nigeria – StarTimes, Canal+

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