RB Leipzig take on VfL Bochum in the third round of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday, with both clubs aiming to win the German cup for the first time in their history.

The two sides have not met for almost five years, back when Leipzig were still on their path of rapidly rising up through the German divisions.

Match preview

© Reuters

With Bayern Munich knocked out of this competition in the previous round, it represents a fantastic opportunity for Julian Nagelsmann to win his first trophy as a manager.

Leipzig did keep their slim title hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, but in reality overturning a seven-point deficit to overtake the Bavarians across the last 15 games of the season is going to be incredibly difficult.

This month's fascinating Champions League tie against Liverpool may well take priority, then, but the 33-year-old selected a strong side in the previous round's 3-0 win over Augsburg in this competition, so clearly wants to have a good stab at it.

Leipzig did reach the final two seasons ago, when they were defeated 3-0 by Bayern, but as the strongest team left in the competition they must guard against complacency against a Bochum side flying high in the division below.

Indeed, in comparison to Leipzig, Bochum are a club steeped in tradition and history, having competed in the Bundesliga for 34 of the 39 seasons between 1971 and their relegation in 2010.

Die Unabsteigbaren's record-high top flight finishes of 5th place in 1997 and 2004 saw them compete in the UEFA Cup on both occasions, while like their forthcoming opponents, they have reached the final of the DFB-Pokal before without ever winning the competition.

However, the club is currently competing in the second tier of German football for the 11th consecutive season, so given the fact they are currently occupying an automatic promotion spot in second position, the league will undoubtedly remain Thomas Reis's priority.

A trip to Leipzig represents a free hit for the 47-year-old and his side, and a chance to measure how far away they are from being competitive in the top flight should they gain promotion at the end of the season. After defeating Mainz 05 on penalties in the previous round they will feel cautiously optimistic, while remaining fully aware that Leipzig represent a massive jump in quality.

RB Leipzig DFB-Pokal form: WW
RB Leipzig form (all competitions): WLDWLW

VfL Bochum DFB-Pokal form: WW
VfL Bochum form (all competitions): WWWDWL

Team News

© Reuters

Leipzig will be without Emil Forsberg, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Henrichs and Konraid Laimer for the cup game due to injury.

Willi Orban, Amadou Haidara, Yussuf Poulsen, Justin Kluivert and Marcel Halstenberg are likely to come into the starting XI having only been used from the substitutes' bench in the weekend's win over Leverkusen.

Bochum, meanwhile, tend to operate with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which maximises the goalscoring abilities of Robert Zulj and Simon Zoller through the middle of the pitch. Both players have 10 goals in all competitions this season, so Leipzig may need to be at their defensive best in order to keep them quiet.

The visitors will be without first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, though, after he was sent off in extra time in the previous round's win over Mainz.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulasci; Orban, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Mukiele, Haidara, Kampl, Angelino; Kluivert, Samardzic; Poulsen

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Drewes; Gamboa, Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares; Losilla, Tesche; Holtmann, Zulj, Bockhorn; Zoller

We say: RB Leipzig 2-0 VfL Bochum

Leipzig have won all four previous meetings against Bochum, and we expect that run to extend to five matches in a comfortable victory.

Nagelsmann's side have the best defensive record in the Bundesliga this season, so the visitors may find chances at a premium.

Top betting tip

Previews by email