Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen preview: Two teams who could use a win

Bayer Leverkusen

The new year has not been kind to Bayer Leverkusen. 

Despite ending the winter in good spirits, they’ve fallen flat since the restart. It was a woeful opening, as Die Werkself went down 4-0 before half-time when hosting VfB Stuttgart. They pulled one back, sure, but the difference in ability was clear to see.

They then went to Hoffenheim and conceded early on once again. Wouter Burger struck for the opposition in the 9th minute, and that proved to be the only goal of the entire game. Leverkusen had most of the ball, but they failed to create real chances with their possession. 

Bayer got to play one more game in midweek in the UEFA Champions League, but that didn’t help them get right either. Remarkably enough they gave up a goal after only two minutes on this occasion, and despite dominating proceedings at the end of the half, they went down 2-0 on the counter. 

It was the story of their year, having 72% possession and an xG of 2.58, and somehow failing to score themselves. That’s the risk Die Werkself currently runs with their current crop of young attackers without Patrik Schick. At times they’re exciting and full of potential, but other times they simply cannot put it together when it matters most.

Looking at the Bundesliga table, Leverkusen are in the thick of the top four race. They sit in 6th, although they’re only four points off 3rd and 4th place and three points behind 5th. The issue is the two teams they lost to earlier, Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, are the ones who jumped in front of them.

The picture is much prettier compared to how it was following the reverse fixture, as Bayer fired manager Erik Ten Hag after just two league matches following a 3-3 draw in Bremen. 

Leverkusen will look to right their ship with some revenge on Saturday afternoon. If they slip up another time, though, then supporters might need to worry about their head coach again.

Team news

The hosts are missing a few key names through injury, like Mark Flekken, Nathan Tella, Edmond Tapsoba, and Eliesse Ben Seghir.

Predicted lineups

Blaswich, Andrich, Bade, Quansah, Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo, Tilman, Schick, Poku

Werder Bremen

Just when it looked like the wheels were going to completely come off, Werder Bremen saved their own skin.

Hosting Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday night, the Green-Whites went into the contest on an extended winless run. They could not have made a worse start, giving up the opener after just a minute. Fortunately Justin Njinmah hit on the counter at the half-hour mark to respond. 

Bremen shot themselves in the foot again 10 minutes into the second half, though, allowing Nnamdi Collins to pounce on a loose ball in the box. Just as it seemed like they were going to fall short again, and potentially hit a new low, the hosts pulled off a remarkable comeback. Jens Stage headed home a set-piece, and only two minutes later Jovan Milosevic slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

They couldn’t get the job done, however. Frankfurt stole a point at the death, as an unmarked Ansgar Knauff converted a first-time shot in stoppage time. While that hurt Werder, there was still plenty to be hopeful about. 

The performance from Horst Steffen’s team was improved, especially going forward. They were a bit crisper and more creative, especially when their marquee summer signing Samuel Mbangula took the field. He provided moments of magic, and his teammates stepped up to capitalize on them. 

While this season hasn’t quite gone to plan for Bremen, there’s a chance they can turn things around this weekend. They’re building towards something following a change to a back-three formation, and a win this weekend would provide a nice boost of confidence. 

The Green-Whites can use the points. Currently in 13th with a game in hand over most teams, they’re only five points clear of the relegation-playoff and six points off automatic relegation. While they shouldn’t end up in a fight for survival, they have to win soon to make sure they avoid it entirely.

Team news

Bremen are without defenders Mitchell Weiser, Felix Agu, Maximilian Wöber, and Niklas Stark, plus striker Victor Boniface, while Leonardo Bittencourt is a doubt.

Predicted lineups

Backhaus, Sugawara, Pieper, Friedl, Coulibaly, Schmidt, Lynen, Stage, Schmid, Njinmah, Mbangula