The Wolves resume their Bundesliga campaign with a trip to promoted Bochum in their first competitive game of 2022 on Sunday 9 January (kick-off 17:30 CET). While Thomas Reis’ side can be very pleased with the way the season has gone so far, Florian Kohfeldt’s charges are under considerable pressure after seven defeats in a row, equalling a club record from 2004. Needless to say, they are desperate to return to winning ways this weekend.
More facts and figures
New signing: On Thursday, Bochum made their first signing of the winter transfer window with the acquisition of Dutch forward Jürgen Locadia from English Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion.
Old acquaintances: Aside from Reis (Wolves U19 coach, 2016-2019) and sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz (VfL player, 2008-2013), two current Bochum players have also represented VfL in recent years: Wolves loanee Elvis Rexhbecaj and striker Sebastian Polter (2008-2011), who has netted six goals so far this season.
This fixture has never ended goalless. In 10 meetings between the clubs there have been 36 goals, almost four per game on average. However, the two clubs have the worst chance conversion rate in the Bundesliga this season (Bochum 21.1 per cent and Wolfsburg 19.5 per cent).
Bochum have registered eight Bundesliga victories over VfL since the Green-and-Whites’ promotion to the top flight in 1997 – more than against any other side.
The Wolves have the upper hand in the head-to-head department (W10 D3 L8), but Bochum have a much better record on home soil (W6 D2 L2). The Green-and-Whites claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Reis’ team (https://www.vfl-wolfsburg.de/en/news-detail/news-detail/detail/news/season-starts-with-a-win/) in their opening game of the campaign.
