Werder Bremen vs. Augsburg preview: Can the hosts return to winning ways?
Werder Bremen will attempt to end a four-game winless league run when they welcome Augsburg to Weserstadion on Saturday.
Werder Bremen
Since claiming their most recent league win against Union Berlin at the end of October, Bremen have gone on to take just two points from their next four matches. They played out 2-2 draws against both Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, before they fell to a 3-0 home defeat against leaders Bayer Leverkusen
Ole Werner’s side suffered another disappointing result last weekend, falling to a 2-0 away loss to high-flying Stuttgart. Having won just one of their last eight league matches, Bremen head into the weekend in 13th position and two points above the bottom three.
After conceding at least two goals in each of their previous four matches, Bremen have now shipped 27 goals in the Bundesliga this season – only Borussia Mönchengladbach, Heidenheim and Darmstadt have let in more.
Although they have struggled defensively, die Werderaner have tended to save their best performances for their supporters, having picked up 10 of their 11 points from home matches.
Team News
The hosts are unable to call upon the injured trio of Amos Pieper, Nicolai Rapp and Leon Opitz.
Augsburg
Augsburg are continuing to enjoy a resurgence under Jess Thorup, who has ignited an upturn in fortunes since his arrival in October. Thorup, who took over a side that had lost four of their opening seven league matches (W1, D2), has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his tenure, picking up 12 points from his six games in charge.
The 53-year-old got up and running with back-to-back victories, before overseeing three consecutive 1-1 draws. After picking up a point from each of their three games in November, Augsburg returned to winning ways against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. Fredrik Jensen and Iago found the net to give the Fuggerstädter a two-goal advantage, and while Frankfurt pulled a goal back in the 78th minute, Augsburg saw out the remainder of the contest to claim their third home league win of the season.
Having enjoyed an impressive start to his time in charge, Thorup has taken Augsburg from 15th position and lifted them up to ninth place, with just three points separating them from the top six. With Augsburg targeting another victory on Saturday, they can draw inspiration from the fact they have won each of their last three meetings with Bremen.
Team News
The visitors remain without the services of Reece Oxford and Raphael Framberger.