Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfL Bochum | Bundesliga | Pre Match
Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfL Bochum
Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen could close the gap to leaders Bayern Munich to three points with a victory in the Bundesliga against visitors VfL Bochum on Friday at BayArena, a match that carries significant implications for both ends of the table as the season nears its climax. Leverkusen, with 56 points after 26 matchweeks, are riding the high of a dramatic 4-3 victory over Stuttgart on March 16, a result that showcased their resilience and kept their faint title hopes alive. Bochum, meanwhile, are mired in a relegation scrap, their 3-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on the same date leaving them third from bottom in 16th place with just 20 points. For Xabi Alonso’s side, the Stuttgart win was a testament to their fighting spirit—trailing 2-0 by the 48th minute and 3-1 by the 62nd, they staged a remarkable comeback, capped by Patrik Schick’s stoppage-time winner. That result took on added significance given Bayern Munich’s slip-up the previous day, a 1-1 draw against Union Berlin that prevented the Bavarians from pulling further ahead. With only eight games left in the Bundesliga campaign, Leverkusen face an uphill battle to dethrone the reigning champions, but a win against Bochum would at least keep the pressure on Bayern, who have been near-impenetrable this season. For Bochum, the trip to BayArena is a chance to claw their way out of the relegation playoff spot, though their recent form and historical struggles against Leverkusen suggest a daunting challenge lies ahead.
Leverkusen’s recent victory over Stuttgart was a microcosm of their season—flashes of brilliance tempered by moments of vulnerability. The fact that they conceded three goals in that match, and 10 across their last four outings, will be a source of concern for Alonso, whose side have prided themselves on defensive solidity in recent years. The Spaniard has transformed Leverkusen into a genuine contender since taking the reins, guiding them to the Bundesliga title last season with a blend of tactical nous and attacking flair. This term, however, their backline has sprung leaks at inopportune moments, a frailty that could prove costly in their pursuit of Bayern. The Stuttgart game, while a triumph, exposed those defensive cracks, and Alonso will be keen to shore things up against a Bochum side that, despite their lowly position, showed attacking intent in their last outing. Leverkusen’s home form adds another layer of complexity—they are winless in their three most recent matches at BayArena, losing two, a stark contrast to the 10 consecutive victories that preceded that slump. The BayArena faithful will expect a return to winning ways on Friday, but Bochum’s desperation could make them a trickier proposition than their league standing suggests. With Bayern’s draw offering a glimmer of hope, Leverkusen know that every point is precious, and dropping more at home could all but extinguish their title dreams.
Bochum, for their part, arrive in Leverkusen in poor form, having lost three of their past four matches across all competitions, with their attack misfiring in three of those defeats. Die Schwarzroten’s 3-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt was a blow, but there were positives to take— they generated three big chances and 14 shots from inside the box, suggesting an offensive spark that could trouble Leverkusen’s shaky defense if they capitalize. Sitting in 16th, Bochum occupy the Bundesliga’s relegation playoff spot, just one point ahead of 17th-placed Heidenheim and three above bottom side Holstein Kiel, both of whom face automatic relegation unless the table shifts. A victory on Friday would lift them to within two points of 15th-placed St Pauli, offering a lifeline in their survival bid. Head coach Dieter Hecking can draw encouragement from their earlier meeting with Leverkusen on November 9, a 1-1 draw that showcased their ability to frustrate Alonso’s men. Bochum’s form over their last six Bundesliga matches is a mixed bag—two wins, two draws, and two losses—but notably includes victories over Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, proving they can upset the odds against top-tier opposition. Their away record, however, is a concern; while they are unbeaten in their last three on the road (one win, two draws), they had lost 17 of their previous 20 Bundesliga away games, a statistic that underscores the challenge of facing Leverkusen at BayArena.
Leverkusen’s squad is grappling with a significant injury crisis that could shape their approach on Friday. Defenders Edmond Tapsoba, Jeanuel Belocian, and Mario Hermoso are all sidelined, with Hermoso ruled out for the season, leaving Alonso short of options at the back. In their absence, Nordi Mukiele, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie are likely to form a back three in front of goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, a setup that will need to gel quickly to contain Bochum’s forwards. The injury woes extend to the attack, with Florian Wirtz, Martin Terrier, and Nathan Tella unavailable, forcing Alonso to lean on Amine Adli, Aleix Garcia, and Patrik Schick to lead the line. Schick’s heroics against Stuttgart highlight his importance, and he’ll be supported by the midfield engine of Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios, whose experience could prove decisive in dictating the tempo. Despite the absences, Leverkusen’s depth remains a strength, and Alonso’s tactical flexibility—honed during last season’s title run—will be key to navigating these challenges. The Spaniard will demand a response from his side after their recent home struggles, knowing that a slip-up could hand Bayern an unassailable lead with so few games remaining.
Bochum, by contrast, have fewer injury concerns, though they will miss centre-back Bernardo and winger Koji Miyoshi, thinning their options slightly. Hecking is expected to deploy Tim Oermann, Ivan Ordets, and Jakov Medic in central defense, a trio tasked with repelling Leverkusen’s attacking threats. In midfield, Matus Bero, Ibrahima Sissoko, and Tom Krauss should provide energy and bite, aiming to disrupt Leverkusen’s rhythm and spring counterattacks. Up top, Gerrit Hofmann is likely to partner Giorgos Masouras in a front two, a pairing that will look to exploit any hesitancy in Leverkusen’s depleted backline. Hofmann’s physicality and Masouras’s movement could pose problems, especially if Bochum replicate the attacking intent they showed against Frankfurt. Hecking’s side will take heart from their earlier draw with Leverkusen and their recent scalps of Bayern and Dortmund, but their away woes and Leverkusen’s superior quality suggest they’ll need a near-perfect performance to leave BayArena with anything more than a moral victory.
The stakes are high for both teams as the Bundesliga season barrels toward its conclusion. For Leverkusen, a win would not only close the gap to Bayern but also signal their intent to fight for the title until the final whistle, a prospect that seemed unlikely during their mid-season wobbles. Their defensive frailties and home dip are concerns, but Schick’s form and Alonso’s nous give them the edge. Bochum, meanwhile, are in a dogfight for survival, and while their recent upsets show their potential, consistency has eluded them. A result against Leverkusen would be a massive boost, but their road struggles and Leverkusen’s historical dominance—despite that November draw—point to an uphill battle. As Friday night looms, BayArena braces for a clash that could shape the narratives at both the top and bottom of the Bundesliga table.
