Bochum vs Borussia Dortmund: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

The promoted Bochum face fit and fired Erling Haaland when he hosts Ruhr district rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30 p.m. CET).

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Bochum claimed back-to-back wins – and nine out of 12 points – when a brace from Sebastian Polter took them to a 3-2 triumph in Augsburg last week. As a result, they moved six points away from the relegation spots, so last season’s Bundesliga 2 champions can now start to think about getting into the top half of the table. Head coach Thomas Reis didn’t risk Michael Riemann against Augsburg, but if the first-choice keeper proves his fitness this time around, then he could oust Michael Esser. Simon Zoller and Saulo Decarli remain on the sidelines, while former Bayern Munich youngster Milos Pantovic – with a new eye for the spectacular – pushes for a first start in nearly two months.

Whoever is in line for Bochum will have their hands full. Dortmund striker Haaland has scored twice in as many league games since returning from injury, and helped himself to a second-half brace on the bench midweek as second-half Dortmund rebounded after losing 3-2 to Bundesliga leaders Bayern with a 5-0 thrashing from Besiktas in the UEFA Champions League. Thorgan Hazard is available again, while Julian Brandt is “maybe an option” after suffering a concussion against Bayern, but Donyell Malen is uncertain. Marius Wolf could therefore start on the right wing. Dan-Axel Zagadou is also likely to retain his place in the absence of first-choice center-back Manuel Akanji.

Look: A beautiful heritage: the derby of the Ruhr district

Match statistics

• The in-form striker Polter has scored three of his side’s five goals this season in their last two games, securing victories over Freiburg and Augsburg.
• Danilo Soares has won more duels than anyone else in the league this season (203).
• With five wins in their last seven games, only Bayern Munich (18) have won more points than Bochum in this period.
• Haaland has scored at least once in each of his last six Bundesliga games; the 21-year-old has never achieved such a consistent goal streak.
• Marco Reus made his Bundesliga debut in Bochum on August 9, 2009, when he was in the books for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
• Hit or miss: Dortmund have yet to draw away this season, with three wins and three draws.

Likely queues

Bochum: Riemann – Stafylidis, Masovic, Lampropoulos, Soares – Tesche, Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj – Holtmann, Polter, Asano
Outside: Decarli (shoulder), Löwen (not included), Zoller (knee)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Thomas reis

Dortmund: Kobel – Meunier, Hummels, Zagadou, Guerreiro – Bellingham, Can, Dahoud – Wolf, Haaland, Reus (c)
Outside: Akanji (knee), Bürki (ankle), Morey (knee), Moukoko (muscular), Schmelzer (knee), Unbehaun (hand)
Doubtful: Brandt (concussion), Hitz (Achilles), Malen (illness), Reyna (match fitness)
Coach: Marco rose