8th placed Werder Bremen, fresh from a 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim on Matchday 24 will look to bounce back with a win at home against Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund will be looking forward to the game having seen off Union Berlin last time out.
Match Overview
Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen find themselves in 8th place in the Bundesliga despite struggling for consistency this season. A 1-0 win in Munich was followed by wins against Freiburg and Mainz and promised an exciting second half of the season for the Northerners.
However, two defeats and a draw in the following four matches have halted a charge up the table. Ole Werner's side still present tricky opposition for any team and they still hold onto feint hopes of qualifying for next season's European competitions.
With only 10 wins from the last 39 fixtures against Borussia Dortmund this match will prove tricky for Werder.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund go into the Topspiel after a flattering 2-0 win at Union Berlin last weekend. Dortmund's most noteworthy news came without kicking a ball this week.
RB Leipzig's defeat to Real Madrid in the Champion's League means that BVB have qualified for the enlarged Club World Championship in 2025.
Statistically, Borussia Dortmund look strong on paper. They don't concede many and have scored an average of two goals per game. Only the other teams in the Top 5 have better scoring records.
Former Werder striker Niclas Füllkrug will look to lead the Dortmund line and cement their place in the top 4.
Team News
Werder Bremen
Bremen have a number of injured absentees for the game. Austrian Marco Friedl is absent with an ankle injury as are: Isak Hansen-Aaröen (thigh strain), Leon Opitz (ankle ligaments), Amos Pieper (ankle fracture), Niklas Stark (hip) and Milos Veljkovic (knee). Also absent is the suspended Olivier Deman.
Borussia Dortmund
Gregor Kobel continues his rehab from an abductor muscle injury and will not be available. Sebastian Haller remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Predicted Lineups
Werder Bremen:
Zetterer - Malatini, C. Groß, A. Jung - Weiser, Lynen, Agu - Schmid, Stage - Ducksch, Njinmah
Coach: Ole Werner
Reserves: Pavlenka, Alvero, Bittencourt, N. Keita, Kownacki, Woltemade
Borussia Dortmund:
A. Meyer - Ryerson, Süle, N. Schlotterbeck, Maatsen - Can, Sabitzer - Adeyemi, Brandt, Malen - Füllkrug
Coach: Edin Terzić
Reserves: Lotka, Bensebaini, Hummels, Morey, Papadopoulos, F. Nmecha, Özcan, Pohlmann, Reus, M. Wolf, Bynoe-Gittens, Duranville, Moukoko, Sancho
Match Result
Nick Woltemade won't extend with Werder Bremen, Sky Germany reports
Werder Bremen: Christian Groß makes "difficult" decision to retire at end of season
Clemens Fritz to become Werder Bremen's new Sporting Director
Marco Friedl out for several weeks
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