Werder Bremen vs. Bochum preview: Both sides aiming to return to winning ways
After both sides suffered consecutive Bundesliga defeats, Werder Bremen and Bochum will be desperate to claim all three points when they face off on Saturday.
Werder Bremen
After winning two straight games, Bremen have now lost consecutive matches by a 2-0 scoreline. A defeat to Borussia Dortmund was followed by another loss last weekend in Bremen's away meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ole Werner's side head into the weekend in 11th place, and they have a healthy eight-point cushion over their opponents, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
The Bremen boss will be keen for his side to improve defensively after conceding 41 goals in their 21 league games this season. As a result, they currently share the second-worst defensive record with Schalke, while only Bochum have conceded more.
Bremen can draw inspiration from a promising head-to-head record with Saturday's opponents after losing just one of their last 18 Bundesliga games against Bochum.
Team News
Werner has confirmed that Mitchell Weiser remains absent for the hosts. They are also unable to call upon Manuel Mbom, Felix Agu and Dikeni Salifou due to injury issues. Leonardo Bittencourt, meanwhile, will be available after serving a one-match suspension last weekend.
Bochum
After enjoying an unbeaten six-game run in Bundesliga home games, Bochum were beaten 2-0 by Freiburg last weekend. Michael Gregoritsch and Nicolas Höfler scored either side of half time to give Freiburg a two-goal cushion and any hopes of a Bochum fightback were ended with Anthony Losilla's red card just after the hour mark.
Bochum's first Bundesliga home defeat since September leaves them in the playoff spot on goal difference, while they are two points clear of the automatic relegation places.
Having won lost 10 of their 11 away Bundesliga games this season, Bochum have the worst away record in the top flight. They have conceded at least three goals in nine of those 11 away trips, highlighting the need to improve defensively if they are to start picking up points on the road.
Team News
Simon Zoller, Gerrit Holtmann, Michael Esser and Chrsitian Gamboa will all miss out through injury, while Losilla is suspended after being sent off against Freiburg.