Bremen keen for first win over Leverkusen since 2019.
Werder Bremen vs
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
As Werder Bremen aim to end their home win drought and overturn an eight-game winless streak against high-flying Bayer Leverkusen, the stage is set for a thrilling Bundesliga clash at the Weserstadion this Saturday evening.
Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen are among the clubs yet to record a home win in the campaign, but they extended their impressive unbeaten away run to six matches last weekend. Ole Werner's men picked up a 4-2 win over ten-man Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena last time out.
Die Werderaner got back into it after Wolfsburg opened the scoring through Tiago Tomás in the 19th minute. Mitchell Weiser scored his first goal of the season with the last kick of the first half to make it even, before goals from Felix Agu, Marvin Ducksch, and Marco Grüll ensured the visitors carted away all three points, despite Joakim Mæhle pulling one back for Wolfsburg.
The win helped Werder Bremen climb into eighth place on the board, having picked up 11 points with three wins, two draws, and two losses ahead of their home clash with Bayer Leverkusen. The last time Bremen defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at home in the Bundesliga was in October 2016, and they are currently on an eight-game winless streak against Leverkusen.
Midfielder Jens Stage, Bremen's top scorer in the current campaign, remains in doubt after failing to make an appearance last time out. Justin Njinmah, Skelly Alvero, Milos Veljkovic, and Niklas Stark were also absent at the Volkswagen Arena and all look set to remain on the sidelines.
Werner is expected to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ducksch leading the attack.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Fourth-placed Leverkusen were without their star striker Victor Boniface during the midweek 1-1 draw against Brest in the UEFA Champions League. The Nigerian had scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday, despite missing a penalty earlier in the game. Unfortunately, he was involved in a car crash a few hours later.
Manager Xabi Alonso stated that Boniface's absence from the Brest trip was a precautionary measure. Boniface has been crucial for the team, scoring five goals in the Bundesliga this season, the most by anyone in the squad. The reigning champions remain unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga matches [WWDDW], currently sitting in fourth place with 14 points, just three behind first-placed Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen have lost just one of their last 14 competitive games against Bremen [6W, 7D, 1L] and could earn back-to-back wins on their current form. Patrik Schick is likely to lead the line in Alonso's 4-2-3-1 formation. Unfortunately, Amine Adli is ruled out due to a broken leg.
