Bayern München’s pursuit of the Bundesliga title continues at wohninvest WESERSTADION on Saturday when they face a Werder Bremen side who sit in mid-table ahead of the match.
Bayern München defeated Hertha BSC 2-0 at home in their last league match, leaving them a point ahead of Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table.
Werder Bremen are in 12th place on 35 points, having scored 48 goals and conceded 58. Bremen were defeated 2-1 in their last Bundesliga match at VELTINS-Arena against Schalke 04.
When the two sides last met in Bundesliga action, Bayern München emerged victorious 6-1 at Allianz Arena in November. Serge Gnabry led Bayern with three goals, scoring in the 22nd, 28th, and 82nd minute. Jamal Musiala, Leon Goretzka, and Mathys Tel also found the net. Anthony Jung scored Werder’s only goal in the 10th minute.
Bayern München have got the better of Bremen of late, unbeaten in their last 26 Bundesliga matches (W22 D4 L0). Bremen are looking for their first league win in encounters between the two sides since September 2008. Bayern have outscored Werder 83-17 during their unbeaten streak.
Visitors Bayern München have been helped by Musiala, Gnabry, and Eric Choupo-Moting, who have netted 11, 10, and 10 times, respectively.
Niclas Füllkrug has been a game-changer for Bremen this season. He leads the club with 16 goals, with no other player managing more in the league in 2022/2023, seven of those having been the crucial first of the match.
On home soil this season, Bremen have five wins, one draw, and nine losses in 15 Bundesliga contests. Werder are in the midst of a three-match home losing streak dating to March 12 against Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern München have eight wins, three draws, and four losses away from Allianz Arena this season in league matches.
In their last six league matches, Bremen have won one, drawn two and lost three. Bayern München, meanwhile, have won three, drawn one and lost two in their last six.
Werder duo Felix Agu and Dikeni Salifou both remain in the treatment room with injuries, while the Bundesliga’s top scorer Niclas Fullkrug – who has scored 16 goals in 26 games this term – is doubtful with a calf problem along with Eren Dinkci (foot).
Ducksch has scored four goals in his last two games and more goals (nine) than any other Bundesliga players during the second half of the campaign, and he is expected to be joined in attack by Wolfsburg loanee Maximilian Philipp if Fullkrug is not deemed fit to start.
Anthony Jung was on the scoresheet in Werder’s 6-1 loss to Bayern in November, and the 31-year-old is set to retain his place at left wing-back, with former Bayern wideman Mitchell Weiser to operate on the opposite flank.
As for Bayern, Leon Goretzka is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee), Alphonso Davies (thigh), Dayot Upamecano (muscle), Lucas Hernandez (knee) and Manuel Neuer (broken leg) are all ruled out through injury.
The absence of Goretzka will likely see Ryan Gravenberch handed just his second Bundesliga start of the season in centre-midfield, while a back four of Noussair Mazraoui, Benjamin Pavard, Matthijs de Ligt and Joao Cancelo is set to remain intact.
Gnabry, who scored a hat-trick against Werder earlier this season, could continue in a supporting role in behind central striker Sadio Mane, but Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane will both be pushing for a recall in the final third after beginning on the substitutes’ bench last time out.
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Pavlenka; Veljkovic, Stark, Friedl; Weiser, Bittencourt, Gross, Stage, Jung; Philipp, Ducksch
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Mazraoui, Pavard, De Ligt, Cancelo; Kimmich, Gravenberch; Coman, Gnabry, Musiala; Mane
