SMASH IT ON Ilunga's European Football Preview

Dortmund coach Thomas Doll is a man under pressure. It's amazing to think that it was only three fridays ago, that he masterminded a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen. That was Dortmund's third victory on the spin, and it really looked like they were going places after a slow start. What has followed since has been nothing short of shambolic. A 3-2 defeat at Hertha Berlin was merely disappointing, but Doll then watched his side leak three goals once more at home to Hamburg, and again last week at newly-promoted Karlsruhe.

In the wake of the sorry capitulation at Karlsruhe, the mild-mannered ex-Hamburg boss admitted "We have thrown so much away this week that you have to ask yourself if the right coach is working here,". Doll added that he was "stubborn" enough to keep fighting. He showed more cracks in his armour by excluding the media from Dortmund's training ground this week.

Patchy home form is not a characteristic unique to the Doll-era. Borussia have been disappointing their adoring faithful for some time now, having managed only eight victories since the beginning of last season.

Tonight, Dortmund's Westphalian neighbours VFL Bochum roll into town, looking to kick-start their season in their favoured Friday night time-slot. Since the beginning of last season, Marcel Koller's side have opened the weekend action nine times, and have only tasted defeat once, winning five times. Not a bad run, considering Bayern, Schalke (twice), Hamburg, and Dortmund themselves have all been encountered during that time. They certainly seem to prefer the intensity of these occasions.

Bochum have slipped down the standings in recent weeks, and currently sit level with Dortmund on nine points. The victory at Cottbus in week two is all they have to show for their away performances, although trips to Bremen and Stuttgart are always a tough ask. A short hop to Dortmund, who they took four points off last season, is a much less daunting proposition. Particularly as the hosts have a host of selection problems to contend with. Last season's leading scorer, Alexander Frei, is still unavailable, whilst the man who netted twice against both Werder and Hertha recently - the in-form Mladen Petric - is out with a groin strain. The enigmatic Nelson Valdez is also missing, which means Doll may have to call on youth team striker Nothe to partner Diego Klimowicz upfront. The problems don't end there, as key defensive players Kehl and Degen cannot be called upon to shore things up, whilst Robert Kovac, Tinga (who had the outstanding Diego in his pocket three weeks ago) and the excellent left-back Dede are all struggling with knocks. Doll may have no choice but to patch Kovac up and send him out alongside the equally immobile Christian Worns once more.

As for taking a value punt on the game, it really is a no-brainer to side with Bochum at fancy prices, against this Jekyll and Hyde Dortmund side who have conceded three or more goals in FIVE of their eight matches this season. Kohler's side are a tidy little outfit, not afraid to take the game to more illustrious opponents. The early 3/1 Draw No Bet has sadly disappeared but anything approaching 4/1 about the visitors is well worth taking. As an aside, it could be worth taking a chance on Bochum's penalty-taking defender Marcel Maltritz to get on the scoresheet. The lack of pace in the Dortmund defence could be a key factor in this match.

Borussia Dortmund vs VFL Bochum. Friday 19:30.

Recommendation: 2pts Bochum @ 15/4. General. 0.25pts Maltritz to score @ 12/1. Bet365.

Ilunga