Monday, December 19, 2011

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20.12. (Tue) 19:00 Bochum - Bayern Munchen

Jerome Boateng, FC Bayern Munich
Getty Images


 PROBABLE LINE-UPS


BOCHUM

Luthe
Kopplin, Maltritz, Acquistapace, Toski
Federico, Kramer, Dabrowski
InuiAydin, Tae-Se
BAYERN MUNICH

Butt
Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Pranjic
Tymoshchuk, Alaba
Robben, Kroos, Olic
Petersen
Bochum duo Faton Taski and Christoph Kramer have struggled with fitness problems of late, but should be ready for the game against the Bavarians. North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se is set to lead the attack for Andreas Bergmann's men, who are looking to cause an upset at the Rewirpower Stadion.


Jupp Heynckes is likely to rotate his team in order to avoid risk of injuries, meaning squad players could be given a chance to shine. Franck Ribery, who was sent off in the first half of the 3-0 win over Koln, could be given a rest, together with captain Philipp Lahm.


Nils Petersen, Ivica Olic and even Takashi Usami could be picked in attack, while there is the possibility that Hans-Jorg Butt replaces Manuel Neuer in goal for Jupp Heynckes' men. Centre-half Breno is unavailable as he is slowly working his way back to the squad.

DID YOU KNOW?
  • Bochum currently sit ninth in the 2.Bundesliga, 15 points off the promotion places.
  • Bjorn Kopplin is a former Bayern Munich player, and represented Germany at the U20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009, scoring two goals in five games.
  • Bochum spent four years in the first division from 2006 to 2010. Their narrow escapes from relegation earned them the nickname 'The Unrelegatables'.
  • Bayern Munich were eliminated from the DFB Pokal by Schalke in the semi-finals of the competition last year.
  • The Bavarians have averaged more than 2.5 goals per game in the league this season, conceding less than 0.6 strikes per match.
  • Bayern Munich have triumphed 44 times in 66 encounters with Bochum, losing on seven occasions.
Prediction
Bochum are a tough nut to crack, and can hold their own as proven by their performance in the relegation play-off against Borussia Monchengladbach last season. They also have the home advantage, and should be able to give the Bavarians a run for their money. However, Jupp Heynckes' men are favourites to progress to the next round of the DFB Pokal.
Editor's Prediction
VfL Bochum 1-2 Bayern