Next match: Bochum become the 'giant-killers'

Hoffenheim have fond memories of last season's trip to Bochum. Ralf Rangnick's side ran out 3-1 winners at the rewirpowerstadion with goals from Demba Ba, Vedad Ibisevic and Carlos Eduardo. The return match also went swimmingly for 1899, when strikes from Demba Ba, Chinedu Obasi and Marvin Compper ensured a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

Unfortunately, Bochum put paid to Hoffenheim's 100% record with a 3-0 away win earlier this season. All the goals that day came from Stanislav Sestak, although since then the Slovakian has failed to reproduce that kind of goalscoring form, adding just one to his tally in. As a result, VfL brought in Schalke youngster Lewis Holtby on loan, and the 19-year-old is desperate to fire Saturday's hosts out of trouble. "I'm really happy that the transfer went through because I want to develop as a player," said the attacking midfielder upon the completion of the deal. His new coach Herrlich is already well aware Holtby's potential from working with him in the Germany U-19 squad.

Just five points separate Bochum from the bottom three with 22 matches played in the Bundesliga, and that despite a promising post-Christmas run which has seen them beat Borussia Mönchengladbach and pick up useful points against Schalke, Hertha BSC and Leverkusen. Against the Royal Blues, VfL showed fantastic character to come back from a two-goal deficit, before putting in a gritty performance to grind out a 1-1 draw against Leverkusen.