With European football at stake in the final two matchweeks of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season, Werder Bremen will host RB Leipzig at Weserstadion on Saturday.
The Green-Whites reside in eighth place with 47 points and are three points behind sixth-placed Leipzig, who occupy the division’s Conference League qualification spot and drew 3-3 with Bayern Munich on May 3.
Match preview
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Werder Bremen led 2-0 against Union Berlin last Saturday after just 15 minutes, but they produced just three shots inside the box after their second goal while generating no big chances and eventually drew the clash 2-2.
To the hosts’ credit, they had only conceded once in their prior five, though they shipped four when they lost 4-2 against Leipzig in the reverse fixture on January 12.
A defeat on Saturday will end the Ole Werner‘s side’s chances of qualifying for Europe, while a draw could also effectively end their European ambitions should Mainz 05 beat VfL Bochum on the weekend.
The Green-Whites’ form has been outstanding in recent weeks considering they are unbeaten in six games, winning on four occasions.
Werder Bremen have won two and drawn one of their past three at home, but they did suffer defeats in their previous three at Weserstadion, conceding nine goals in that time.
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Opponents Leipzig squandered the 2-0 lead that they took in the first half against Bayern and trailed 3-2 when Leroy Sane scored the Bavarians’ third, but Xavi Simons was able to squeeze a pass through to Yussuf Poulsen in the box in the 95th minute to equalise.
Die Roten Bullen have managed to score three or more goals in three of their last five fixtures, though they conceded 11 times in that period.
Only two points separate Zsolt Low‘s side from fourth-placed Freiburg, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, though losing on Saturday would end their pursuit of a place in Europe’s premier club competition if Freiburg beat Holstein Kiel.
The visitors come to Weserstadion winless in three – losing once – and have lost three of their last seven while only winning twice.
Low will be alarmed by his side’s record away from home given they have emerged victorious in just two of their last 16 matches on the road, succumbing to defeat 10 times, and it should be noted that they have failed to score in six of their eight most recent away games.
Team News
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Werder Bremen’s only injury concern is situated in defence, with centre-back Milos Veljkovic unavailable, though Marco Friedl should be ready to start.
Stalwarts Niklas Stark, Friedl and Amos Pieper are certain to feature in the backline, while Jens Stage, Senne Lynen and Romano Schmid could play in midfield.
Oliver Burke and Marvin Ducksch have started together in attack in five of their side’s last six games, and the duo will likely be trusted once again.
As for Leipzig, left-back David Raum is suspended, while fellow defenders Benjamin Henrichs and Willi Orban are injured, so perhaps Kosta Nedeljkovic, Lukas Klostermann, El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Castello Lukeba will be stationed in a back four.
With midfielders Amadou Haidara and Xaver Schlager injured, and Kevin Kampl suspended, Low may select a double pivot of Nicolas Seiwald and Arthur Vermeeren.
Wide attackers Simons and Ridle Baku could be tasked with supporting strikers Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda.
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Stark, Friedl, Pieper; Weiser, Stage, Lynen, Schmid, Agu; Burke, Ducksch
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Nedeljkovic, Klostermann, Bitshiabu, Lukeba; Baku, Seiwald, Vermeeren, Xavi; Sesko, Openda
We say: Werder Bremen 2-1 RB Leipzig
Despite Leipzig’s draw against Bayern, it is difficult to look past their poor away record and frailty at the back.
Werder Bremen have been outstanding in the final stages of the season, and they should be seen as favourites to claim all three points on Saturday.
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