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

The hosts have performed above expectations after their promotion back to Germany's top flight, while the visitors are looking to make it two consecutive wins here.

Match preview

Werder Bremen were expected to struggle upon their return to the Bundesliga having suffered their first relegation for 41 years two seasons ago.

That could still prove to be the case, but after seven games Ole Werner's side are currently 10th, having gained nine points.

A late equaliser from Milos Veljkovic rescued a point away at Bayer Leverkusen last time out before the international break, but Bremen have made a habit out of netting late on.

They have scored seven goals in the last five minutes across four of their matches already this season, with striker Niclas Fullkrug being the star man up top, bagging five in his seven appearances.

Bremen's last home game was a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Augsburg so they will be determined to make amends here, especially with a striker in red-hot form.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be full of confidence arriving at the Weserstadion on Saturday, after cruising to a 3-0 victory over RB Leipzig before the international break.

A brace from Jonas Hofmann as well as a goal from Ramy Bensebaini secured the three points for The Foals, leaving them sixth in the table.

Daniel Farke has made an excellent start to life as Monchengladbach manager after being appointed in the summer, winning three, drawing three and losing one game in the league so far.

Perhaps the most impressive feat of Farke's reign up until this point is the fact his side have only conceded five goals in the league, which is the joint-lowest in the division.

Farke's Norwich City side were often accused of leaking too many goals, so the 45-year-old will be content with how his team have performed defensively this season.

Goalkeeper Yann Sommer has been a key contributor to Gladbach's impressive defensive record, keeping his third clean sheet of the campaign - and second in succession - last time out against Leipzig.

Farke will be hoping to build on the 3-0 victory over Leipzig, but beating a newly-promoted side on the road is never as clear-cut as it may seem.

Bremen are no walkovers, notably beating Borussia Dortmund 3-2 away from home on August 20, suggesting they can hold their own against the bigger sides.

Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:

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D

Borussia Monchengladbach Bundesliga form:

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W

Team News

Bremen will be without defender Amos Pieper, who is suspended for the match, while midfielders Leonardo Bittencourt, Dikeni Salifou and Jean-Manuel Mbom are out of contention through injuries.

It looks likely that Werner could opt for the same lineup that secured a point away at Leverkusen before the international break.

Marco Friedl and Veljkovic look set to retain their place at the heart of defence, having started every game so far this season.

Fit-again midfielder Jens Stage will also be pushing for a return, with Romano Schmid preferred by Werner last time out.

The visitors, meanwhile, will travel without Hannes Wolf, Tobias Sippel, Ko Itakura, and Alassane Plea, who all look set to miss out due to injury, although French forward Plea is reportedly back in training.

Christoph Kramer was absent against Leipzig last time out, so he could return to the fold here.

Joseph Scally has been a mainstay in the Monchengladbach defensive line, starting every league game this season, so he looks likely to retain his place.

Kouadio Kone and Marcus Thuram have also been key figures for Farke, as they bid for an eighth consecutive start.

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Pavlenka; Stark, Veljkovic, Friedl; Weiser, Schmidt, Gruev, Stage, Jung; Fullkrug, Ducksch

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Scally, Friedrich, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kone, Weigl, Kramer; Hofmann, Thuram, Stindl

We say: Werder Bremen 0-2 Borussia Monchengladbach

Bremen have shown they can upset the bigger teams in the division, already claiming a win over Dortmund and a respectable draw against Leverkusen last time out.

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