VfL Bochum vs Bayer Leverkusen

Of teams currently in the Bundesliga, VfL Bochum have only beaten Eintracht Frankfurt (25 times) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (20) more often than they have Bayer 04 Leverkusen (17). However, VfL have managed just one win from the last 10 meetings, a 3-0 victory at home in May 2023 (otherwise D3, L6).

With just one point from their first nine games, VfL Bochum have equalled the negative Bundesliga record – only Greuther Fürth (2021/22) and 1. FC Saarbrücken (inaugural 1963/64 Bundesliga season) have ever started as poorly, and both teams were relegated after finishing in last place. If you consider VfL’s goal difference (-20), they have recorded the worst start ever by a Bundesliga team.

With 16 points from nine games, Bayer 04 Leverkusen are nine points worse off than at the same stage of last season (25). The last reigning champion to start the season so poorly was Borussia Dortmund in 2012/13 (15 points).

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 21 Bundesliga away games (W16, D5). In league history, only FC Bayern have put together longer undefeated runs on their travels (33 games from 2012 to 2014 & 26 games from 1985 to 1987). The Werkself’s last away loss was in Bochum on matchday 34 of 2022/23 (3-0).

VfL Bochum have conceded 29 goals over the first nine matchdays, their worst ever defensive record at this stage of a Bundesliga season. Only three teams in league history have ever shipped more goals at this stage: SV Darmstadt in 2023/24 (30), Eintracht Braunschweig in 1984/85 (31) and Tennis Borussia Berlin in 1976/77 (31).