Pre-Match Analysis: Dortmund travel to Bochum in little Revierderby

Niko Kovač will seek his first Bundesliga win with BVB as they head to bottom-table Bochum in what could be the last Derby for the foreseeable future.
Borussia Dortmund v VfL Bochum 1848 - Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund v VfL Bochum 1848 - Bundesliga | Christof Koepsel/GettyImages
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While Borussia Dortmund has had to contend with its problems this season, the neighbors, Bochum, have had their problems even worse. Yet their bottom-table status doesn’t mean this trip will be a walk in the park for the Black-and-Yellows. It might be a “little” derby, but it’s still a derby, so expect this one to excite!

Niko Kovač will seek his first league win after last weekend’s defeat to VfB Stuttgart. Still, his players should have some confidence after a commanding second-half performance against Sporting in the UEFA Champions League. A 3-0 away win might offer Dortmund some momentum heading into this match, but their opponents will be well-rested without having played midweek. 

There are promising signs from Kovač’s Dortmund, and the need for three points is higher than it’s been yet this season, so nothing less than a win will be satisfactory. Until then, here’s the latest team news, match predictions, and possible lineups: