Werder Bremen vs. Augsburg preview: Can the visitors end losing run?
Augsburg will be looking to claim their second win of the season after losing their last three matches when they face Werder Bremen who have only lost once this term.
| Oliver Burke. | Photo: Werder Bremen |
Werder Bremen
Bremen will be proud of their efforts in the opening five Bundesliga games, with their eight-point haul leaving them in eighth place ahead of matchday six.
As well as enjoying success in the opening weeks of the season, the newly-promoted side have returned to the top-flight as one of the Bundesliga's entertainers. Their five league matches have yielded 22 goals, which is only a total that can be matched by games involving Eintracht Frankfurt this term.
In fact, Bremen were involved in a seven-goal thriller with Frankfurt on matchday four where they lost 4-3 to Oliver Glasner's side. However, they bounced back last weekend in their lowest scoring game of the season.
In what has become their trademark this term, Bremen required late goals to defeat Bochum 2-0. Niclas Füllkrug took his tally to five for the season with a 86th minute effort followed by a strike from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Although Ole Werner's charges are unbeaten in their four competitive away games this term, they will be targeting their first home victory of the season when they face Augsburg on Friday.
Having picked up only one point from their opening two home matches, Bremen will take confidence from the fact they have won their last three Bundesliga home meetings with Augsburg.
Team News
The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Jens Stage, Leonardo Bittencourt, Dikeni Salifou and Jean-Manuel Mbom, who are all sidelined due to injury issues.
Augsburg
While the hosts can be pleased with their early season form, Augsburg will be concerned by their start to the new campaign.
After losing 4-0 to Freiburg on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga season, Augsburg looked to have got their campaign up and running with a 2-1 away win over Bayer Leverkusen on matchday two.
However, rather than building upon their impressive victory, they have gone on to lose three consecutive games, leaving them in the relegation playoff place ahead of Friday's contest.
Although Enrico Maaßen is only five league games into his tenure as Augsburg boss, he will be aware that he needs an improvement from his squad at both ends of the pitch. While they have conceded in every Bundesliga game this season, Augsburg have only scored three league goals.
In fact, a 2-0 home defeat to Hertha BSC ensured Maaßen's side have now failed to score in their last two matches, so they will be hoping a meeting against a leaky Bremen defence can help them end their goalscoring drought.
The visitors will also look to take confidence from the fact that they have won their last three Bundesliga games which have taken place on Friday night.
Team News
Arne Maier has picked up an ankle injury, with the 23-year-old joining a lengthy injury list. Niklas Dorsch and Felix Uduokhai are also sidelined with ankle issues, while injury problems will rule out Frederik Winther, Reece Oxford, Dikeni Salifou, Noah Sarenren-Bazee and Tobias Strobl.