Preview: Hoffenheim vs. Werder Bremen - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts, meanwhile, are aiming to return to winning ways having drawn their last two matches.

Match preview

Despite being held by Freiburg and Hertha Berlin in their last two games, Hoffenheim undoubtedly look an improved side under Andre Breitenreiter's management.

The former Germany Under-21s international, who guided FC Zurich to their first Swiss Super League title in 13 years before joining Hoffenheim in the summer, has evidently made Die Kraichgauer a much more solid outfit given that they have only conceded eight goals in eight league games.

However, they could not hold onto the lead that Andrej Kramaric's third goal of the season had provided them with away to Hertha Berlin last weekend, with Dodi Lukebakio levelling the proceedings before half-time.

Should his side find themselves ahead against Werder Bremen at Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Friday evening, Breitenreiter will be hoping to see more composure in possession, especially with their forthcoming opponents' having a strong penchant for scoring late goals.

That said, Werder got the job done early against Borussia Monchengladbach, with three goals in the first 13 minutes helping them to a superb 5-1 victory at Weserstadion.

Niclas Fullkrug's brace was sandwiched by his strike partner Marvin Ducksch getting in on the act before Ramy Bensebaini's own goal prior to half-time, with Mitchell Weiser settling any growing nerves after Marcus Thuram had pulled one back for the visitors.

Fullkrug, whose chronic injury issues were a major factor in Werder suffering their first relegation for 41 years two seasons ago, continues to go from strength to strength, with the 29-year-old extending his tally to seven goals in eight league games for the season.

Head coach Ole Werner will need his dynamic strike duo to be at their best once again if they are to beat Hoffenheim on Friday, but with 12 points from eight matches already, they have absolutely nothing to fear having exceeded all expectations so far following their promotion.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

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Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:

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Team News

Hoffenheim are expected to remain without Ihlas Bebou, Ermin Bicakcic and club captain Benjamin Hubner due to injury.

As such, Breitenreiter's only real selection headache is whether to partner Kramaric with Georginio Rutter or Munas Dabbur, with the latter likely to win that particular contest.

Werder, meanwhile, are likely to travel without Dikeni Salifou and Jean Manuel Mbom as the pair continue to recover from groin and Achilles issues respectively.

Amos Pieper missed last weekend's thrashing of Gladbach through suspension and should return to Werner's back three in place of Niklas Stark, while Leonardo Bittencourt could start in midfield having only been used from the bench last time out.

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Kabak, Vogt, Nsoki; Kaderabek, Promel, Geiger, Angelino; Baumgartner; Dabbur, Kramaric

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Pavlenka; Pieper, Veljkovic, Friedl; Weiser, Schmid, Gross, Bittencourt, Jung; Fullkrug, Ducksch

We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Werder Bremen

Werder have performed much better than most people would have expected so far this season, with only Bayern Munich scoring more goals than them across the entire division.

As such, it could be an entertaining affair, with Hoffenheim potentially ending up with a third successive share of the spoils.

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