Werder Bremen vs. Wolfsburg preview: Ralph Hasenhüttl returns to the Bundesliga
Ralph Hasenhüttl will take charge of his first game as Wolfsburg boss when his new side face Werder Bremen on Saturday.
| Ralph Hasenhüttl. | Photo: RB Leipzig |
Werder Bremen
Bremen may have been relieved by the timing of the international break following a disappointing run of form. Since recording their most recent win on February 16, Bremen have gone on to take just one point from four matches. Ole Werner’s charges played out a 1-1 draw with Darmstadt, before suffering three consecutive 2-1 defeats against Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin.
That poor spell of results has dented Bremen’s hopes of qualifying for European competition. However, they are currently on course to better last season’s 13th-place finish, with die Werderaner sitting in 10th position ahead of matchday 27.
Although they have struggled for points in recent times, Bremen will fancy their chances of finding the net against Wolfsburg, having scored in each of their last 13 Bundesliga outings.
Team News
Niklas Stark and Justin Njinmah are both ruled out through injury. Meanwhile, Mitchell Weiser, Jens Stage and Senne Lynen will also serve a one-match bans. There are also doubts surrounding the availability of Dawid Kownacki.
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg are currently sitting in 14th position and five points adrift of Bremen after failing to win any of their previous 11 league games. A 3-1 defeat to Augsburg before the international break proved to be the final game of Niko Kovac’s tenure. The Wolfsburg hierarchy has opted to replace Kovac with former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhüttl.
The 56-year-old has returned to the German top flight for the first time since leaving RB Leipzig in 2018. With Wolfsburg sitting six points above the bottom three, Hasenhüttl will be determined to lead his side to safety in the remaining eight games of the season.
Having failed to win any of their last three head-to-head matches, die Wölfe are hoping to beat Bremen for the first time since recording a 2-1 win in March 2021.
Team News
The visitors are unable to call upon Koen Casteels, Jonas Wind and Lukas Nmecha. Lovro Majer is a doubt, while Patrick Wimmer will miss out through suspension.