Werder Bremen vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: BVB looking to continue unbeaten away run
Borussia Dortmund will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to eight away matches when they face Werder Bremen on Weserstadion.
| Photo: Borussia Dortmund |
Werder Bremen
Dortmund bounced back from their defeat against Hoffenheim to claim a 2-0 victory in last Saturday’s away meeting with Union Berlin. Karim Adeyemi opened the scoring, before Ian Maatsen registered his first Dortmund goal to seal all three points. The win kept Edin Terzic’s side in fourth spot and one point clear of RB Leipzig in fifth position.
Die Schwarzgelben have now avoided defeat in each of their last seven away league matches, while they kept clean sheets in four of their previous five road trips in the top flight. They will now turn their attention to Saturday’s contest, where they will attempt to continue their fine run of form at the Weserstadion, having won each of their last three away games against Bremen. Dortmund will be keen to pick up a positive result ahead of Wednesday’s second leg against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last 16.
Team News
Dortmund are unable to call upon the services of Sebastien Haller and Samuel Bamba. However, Terzic is hopeful that Gregor Kobel will be available after missing the last three games through injury. Felix Nmecha could also return to the matchday squad following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Werder Bremen
Bremen will be keen to get their European push back on track after failing to win either of their last two matches. Die Werderaner played out a 1-1 draw with basement side Darmstadt, before they fell to a narrow loss in last Sunday’s away meeting with Hoffenheim. Max Beier netted a brace to give Hoffenheim a two-goal lead at half time, and although Skelly Alvero pulled a goal back in the 92nd minute, it proved to be too little too late.
Having won just one of their last four matches, eighth-placed Bremen are now seven points adrift of the top six with 10 matches left to play in the Bundesliga season. They will be hoping to close that gap on Saturday, but they have found wins hard to come by in recent home meetings with Dortmund. In fact, they have failed to win their last seven home league games against die Schwarzgelben since recording a 2-1 victory in December 2014.
Team News
Marco Friedl and Amos Pieper are both ruled out with ankle problems, while Olivier Deman will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.