Prediction: Borussia Dortmund vs Bochum

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund to score in both halves

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Friday night, Borussia Dortmund will welcome Bochum to rural Germany.

Borussia Dortmund

Starting with the hosts, hit with a woeful 5-1 drumming away at Stuttgart last weekend, Borussia Dortmund are desperate seeking an immediate response here. However, opening their Champions League adventure with a stunning performance on foreign soil as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against Belgium giants Club Brugge, Nuri Sahin’s men will be excited to make a return to rural Germany on Friday night. Winning their opening two Bundealiga showdowns at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund will be smelling a golden opportunity here. Continuing on from last season, Sahin’s side have won their previous four Bundesliga showdowns on home soil by an aggregate score of 15-3. It should also be highlighted, Dortmund claimed a thumping 3-1 victory when they welcomed Bochum to town back on January 28th.

Team News

Failing to make a single appearance since returning from September’s international break and still dealing with a recent groin injury, former Nottingham Forest loanee Giovanni Reyna remains a real doubt here. Likewise, limping off away at Stuttgart with a first-half knock, it remains to be seen if Felix Nmecha will feature on Friday night.

Now recording back-to-back strikes, summer recruit Serhou Guirassy will spearhead Sahin’s attack this weekend. Enjoying what has quickly become a major breakout campaign, 20-year-old Jamie Gittens could feature from the start here.

Bochum

As for the visitors, while Bochum might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they managed to keep hold of their Bundesliga status, Bochum are facing another major uphill battle this time around. Suffering a last-gasp collapse against top-flight returners Kiel last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, Peter Zeidler’s men have collected just a single point from any of their first four Bundesliga appearances. Heading into September’s international break with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach, Bochum couldn’t have asked for a tougher examination this weekend. Hit with that 3-1 loss when they last travelled to rural Germany back in January, the Blues are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide underdog here.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance this season after sustaining a long-term knee injury over the summer, one-time Brighton defender Bernardo remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. Likewise, missing out against Kiel last weekend, Japan international Koji Miyoshi remains a doubt on Friday night.

Cementing his spot as Zeidler’s number-one after arriving from Karlsruher during the summer transfer window, 31-year-old Patrick Drewes will start between the sticks. Despite failing to open his Bundesliga account this season, ex-Brentford striker Phillipp Hofmann will lead Bochum’s attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Borussia Dortmund and Dortmund last met back on January 28th, Friday’s hosts collected a 3-1 victory in rural Germany.
• Continuing on from last season, Dortmund have won their previous Bundesliga showdowns on home soil by an aggregate score of 15-3.
• Including a consolation strike away at former club Stuttgart last weekend, Serhou Guirassy has notched back-to-back goals.
• Bochum have collected just a single point from any of their first four Bundesliga appearances.
• The Blues have collected just four points from any of their previous 12 Bundesliga appearances on the road.

Conclusion

Slumping to that woeful 5-1 drumming away at Stuttgart last weekend, Borussia Dortmund will certainly be relishing a return to home soil here. Landing a 3-1 victory when they welcomed Bochum to town back on January 28th, Sahin’s men will be seeking a repeat performance on Friday night. Two sides who are rightfully expected to be battling it out at opposite ends of the Bundesliga table this season, it is no surprise that BVB are pencilled in as a landsite contender here.

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund to score in both halves

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Luckster