Werder Bremen host Union Berlin desperate for points to escape the relegation zone as they sit 16th after 20 games played. Just a point clear of Fortuna Dusseldorf and two clear of rock-bottomed Paderborn. “Union Berlin” miraculously beat level 4 opponents Verl with a very late winner from Robert Andrich. So they will hope that this will be enough to put behind them an unconvincing series of Bundesliga.
The hosts lost 5 of their 6 Bundesliga matches
Worrying times descended on the Weserstadion after Werder Bremen’s 2-1 loss at Augsburg last weekend made it six defeats from their last seven Bundesliga games. Four of those losses came ‘to nil,’ although Bremen netted the opener in all three games. In which they found the net across those recent seven fixtures. It looks no better at home, where Bremen are winless in seven straight league matches – their worst such run since February 2016. While six of those seven games saw at least one goal after the 75th minute. Bremen was also losing ‘to nil’ at half-time in three of the defeats.
Union Berlin won only once in their 10 away games
Union Berlin has hit tough times too, and travel here winless in their last five Bundesliga away games. Although they’ve netted an average of just 0.9 goals per league road trip so far. They have seen both teams score in six of their last seven Bundesliga away games. Without an away clean sheet this Bundesliga campaign. Union have also conceded in both halves in 40 percent of their away league games. Unsurprisingly, they’ve conceded the opener in seven of their ten away games this league campaign, going on to lose six.
Will not play
From Werder Bremen: Mohwald – Knee injury; Questionable: Augustinsson – Muscle injury, Bargfrede – Calf injury, Fullkrug – Knee injury, Gebre Selassie – Thigh injury, Lang – Thigh injury, Langkamp – Knee injury, Selke – Hip injury.
From Union Berlin questionable: Abdullahi – Knee injury, Dehl – Knee injury, Gikiewicz – Knee injury, Gogia – Knee injury, Ingvartsen – Injury, Kroos – Muscle injury, Mees – Thigh injury, Schmiedebach – Abdominal strain.
Players to watch
Milot Rashica has netted the opener before the 25th minute in four of the last five Bremen games he’s found the net. Meanwhile, Marcus Ingvartsen has been Union’s final goalscorer in all four Bundesliga matches he’s scored in.
Stat attack: There’s been an own goal in four of Bremen’s last five Bundesliga matches.
The opener was scored by the 15th minute in three of Union’s last four away league games.
Bremen’s last five Bundesliga home victories witnessed both teams score.