Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 October 2023, 15:51
Werder Bremen and Union Berlin will both be aiming to end significant losing streaks when they meet at Weserstadion in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The two sides head into the meeting level on six points from eight games, with Union Berlin on a nine-game losing run in all competitions.

Match preview

Werder Bremen are suffering a poor run of form themselves, with their 1-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund last Friday meaning that they have collected only three points from their last five games, with four of those ending in defeat.

Die Werderaner would not have expected to avoid defeat at Westfalenstadion, with Julian Brandt's 67th-minute strike ultimately proving the difference between the sides. In fact, Ole Werner may have been encouraged by his side's defensive discipline during the loss, having witnessed his side ship 12 goals across their previous four games.

Eight of those came in 4-2 defeats to newly-promoted sides Heidenheim and SV Darmstadt 98, which could prove to be damaging ones come the end of the campaign. Having ended last season in a serious slump - Werner's side won just one of their final 12 league games - there is little doubt that they are preparing themselves for a relegation battle this time around.

As such, Werner and his players will sense a serious opportunity to inflict even more misery on their forthcoming opponents this weekend, as they hope to put a little more distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Indeed, having qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history to crown four glorious seasons competing in the Bundesliga, the thought of Union Berlin enduring a losing streak stretching into double figures is almost unimaginable.

Yet that is exactly what Urs Fischer's side are facing when they travel to Bremen on Saturday, having lost six successive league games as well as their opening three games in Europe's elite competition.

Die Eisernen were the latest victim to fall to high-flying Stuttgart last weekend, with Serhou Guirassy extending his tally to an astonishing 14 goals in eight league games during his side's 3-0 victory, before Fischer's side blanked at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei once again in a 1-0 defeat to Serie A champions Napoli on Tuesday.

In a match devoid of clear-cut chances, Giacomo Raspadori's 65th minute settled the encounter, leaving Union Berlin bottom of Group C. However, they are only three points behind third-placed Braga, meaning that they are not without hope of dropping down to the Europa League in the New Year.

In the meantime, though, Fischer will be far more concerned with correcting his side's league form. With Dortmund 14 points clear of them in fourth position, their hopes of maintaining their place in the Champions League are almost over already, but falling to another defeat on Saturday would signal fears of being involved in an unwanted relegation battle in the capital.

Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:

W

L

W

L

L

L

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Union Berlin form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

L

Advert - content below:

Team News

Werder Bremen will remain without Jiri Pavlenka, Naby Keita, Amos Pieper and Niklas Stark due to injuries, with the quartet facing a race against time to feature again before the upcoming international break in November.

However, Marvin Ducksch should shake off a recent cold to lead the hosts' attack, where he is likely to be joined by Rafael Santos Borre in place of Dawid Kownacki.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, will almost certainly restore Kevin Behrens to their frontline after surprisingly naming their joint top goalscorer on the bench against Napoli in midweek, while Aissa Laidouni could also start in order to provide more energy in midfield.

Andras Schafer remains sidelined by a long-term foot injury, while full-backs Josip Juranovic and Jerome Roussillon are both unlikely to be available due to knocks, meaning that Robin Gosens and club captain Christopher Trimmel will be asked to go again in the wide areas.

Leonardo Bonucci has been dropped by Fischer in the last two games, with the Italy legend appearing to be out of favour amid rumours of growing tension with his new manager.

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Zetterer; Veljkovic, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Schmid, Stage, Bittencourt, Deman; Borre, Ducksch

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Leite; Trimmel, Laidouni, Khedira, Haberer, Gosens; Becker, Behrens

We say: Werder Bremen 1-2 Union Berlin

Both teams will head into this contest with minimal confidence given their current losing streaks, but something has to give here for at least one of them.

Ultimately, Union Berlin contain too much quality to keep losing games, having made incredible progress under Fischer's tutelage in recent years. Werder Bremen, on the other hand, would have expected to be in a relegation fight this season, and we think that they will narrowly fall to a fourth successive defeat at the weekend.

Previews by email

Top News

25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's Champions League encounter with Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday is "a must-win for many reasons", Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a double injury boost ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Feyenoord at the Etihad. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Resuming their debut Champions League campaign, Aston Villa will tackle Serie A giants Juventus on Wednesday evening, when Unai Emery must make a couple of big selection calls. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Istanbul Basaksehir and Petrocub Hincesti are winless in this season's Conference League heading into Wednesday's matchday four encounter at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reeling after a run of five consecutive defeats, an unprecedented run of poor form under manager Pep Guardiola, who watched his team suffer a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League last weekend. 25 November 2024 talksport.com A non-league side have been able to see the funny side after their pitch was left underwater by Storm Bert. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Premier League clubs are not renowned for their patience when firing managers, and we've just had our second sacking of 2024/25. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool have the chance to go 11 points clear of Premier League champions Manchester City when the two sides meet this weekend. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly involved in the race for the services of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with Chelsea keen on the player. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Turkish giants Besiktas are reportedly interested in signing Fulham winger Adama Traore in the January transfer window. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League rookies Aston Villa will seek a home hat-trick on Wednesday evening, when they host Italian giants Juventus. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sepp van den Berg has suggested that he has no regrets over leaving Liverpool for Brentford during the summer transfer window. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Mohamed Salah has conceded he's 'probably more out than in' when it comes to staying at Liverpool beyond this season. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ed Sheeran has taken to social media to apologise to Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim after interrupting his interview with Sky Sports. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is reportedly attracting interest from a new club ahead of the January transfer window. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola is confident that his Manchester City side can both quickly turn their fortunes around and enjoy a successful season in spite of their recent dip in form. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim singled out Joshua Zirkzee and Jonny Evans after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town in the Premier League. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hoping to end a 15-year sequence without a win against Real Madrid, Liverpool butt heads with the reigning Champions League champions at Anfield on Wednesday evening. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly identified Ederson and Martin Zubimendi as top targets to bolster their midfield in January. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic will host Club Brugge at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening in a pivotal UEFA Champions League clash, as the Scottish champions aim to strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stages against a Belgian side that have been riddled with inconsistency this term. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne has provided a fresh update on his contract situation at the Etihad Stadium. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Always one of the most highly-anticipated contests on the Champions League calendar, Liverpool and Real Madrid collide in a clash of the titans at Anfield on Wednesday evening. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have reportedly considered an audacious swap deal that could see Douglas Luiz move to Manchester United in return for Joshua Zirkzee. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Roy Keane's argument with an Ipswich Town fan stemmed from his time as the club's manager as new details have come to light. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to be without the services of Vinicius Junior for Wednesday's mouthwatering Champions League match against Liverpool at Anfield. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool host Manchester City in a Premier League blockbuster on Sunday but the fixture has been changed to an unusual kick-off time. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Leicester City's players have been slammed for jetting to Copenhagen for their Christmas party. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold remains a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League league phase battle with Real Madrid at Anfield. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The latest chapter in the Liverpool-Real Madrid rivalry will be written on Wednesday evening, when the continental foes collide in Wednesday's Champions League blockbuster. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior will miss their Champions League clash with Liverpool on Wednesday due to a leg injury.
Thu 28 Nov, 17:45
EL
Qarabag Qarabag
-
sch
Lyon Lyon
Thu 28 Nov, 20:00
EL
Nice Nice
-
sch
Rangers Rangers