RB Leipzig will kick off their Bundesliga campaign against VfL Bochum this Saturday at the Red Bull Arena. The match promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with contrasting ambitions for the upcoming season. RB Leipzig, who finished fourth last season, will be looking to build on their strong start to the campaign with a convincing performance against Bochum. On the other hand, Bochum narrowly avoided relegation last season and will be hoping to make a statement against a top team like Leipzig.
RB Leipzig Team News
RB Leipzig have undergone some changes in their squad ahead of the new season. The most notable departure is star player Dani Olmo, who has left to join FC Barcelona. In his place, the club has brought in Antonio Nusa as a replacement. Additionally, Leipzig have extended the loan of Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons for another season, adding some stability to their midfield.
One of the key signings for Leipzig this season is goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, who will provide competition for Peter Gulacsi. The club has also brought in young midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, although he is currently sidelined with a knee injury. In terms of injuries, Baumgartner, Bitshiabu, Elmas, and Schlager are all doubtful for the upcoming match against Bochum, which could affect coach Marco Rose’s selection decisions.
VfL Bochum Team News
VfL Bochum have had a tumultuous offseason, with the departure of several key players from last season. Creative midfielder Kevin Stöger has signed for Gladbach, leaving a void in Bochum’s midfield. Additionally, Patrick Osterhage and Takuma Asano have also left the club, adding to the challenges of building a competitive squad for the new season.
Despite the departures, Bochum have opted for a strategy of free transfers and loan deals to bolster their squad. Players like Patrick Drewes, Dani de Wit, Samuel Bamba, Jakov Medic, and Myron Boadu have been brought in to strengthen the team. However, De Wit will be unavailable for the match against Leipzig due to a suspension he received in the Dutch Eredivisie last season.
In terms of injuries, Bochum have several players on the sidelines. Bernardo, Kwarteng, Ordets, and Riemann are all unavailable, while Tolba is a doubt for the upcoming match. These absences could pose a challenge for coach Peter Zeidler as he looks to navigate his team through a tough opening fixture against Leipzig.
Predicted Lineups
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi, Klostermann, Orban, Simakan, Angelino, Sabitzer, Kampl, Haidara, Forsberg, Szoboszlai, Silva.
VfL Bochum: Drewes, Gamboa, Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares, Losilla, de Wit, Bamba, Zoller, Boadu, Wintzheimer.
The predicted lineups suggest that both teams will field strong starting elevens for the match, with key players expected to feature prominently. RB Leipzig will rely on the attacking prowess of players like Forsberg and Silva to break down Bochum’s defense, while Bochum will look to players like Zoller and Boadu to provide a threat going forward.
Overall, the RB Leipzig vs. VfL Bochum match promises to be an intriguing battle between two teams with different objectives for the season. Leipzig will be aiming for a strong start to their campaign, while Bochum will be looking to prove their worth against a top team in the Bundesliga. With key players missing due to injuries and suspensions, both teams will need to rely on their depth and tactical acumen to secure a positive result in this opening fixture.