Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Bayer Leverkusen simply have to get back to winning ways against a struggling Werder Bremen.

Kick-off date/time: 24 January 2026 at 2:30 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+

Bayer Leverkusen preview: Hanging onto top six

Consecutive league defeats have come at a bad time for Bayer Leverkusen, leaving them outside the Champions League places and clinging onto a spot in the top six. Throw in a resounding 2-0 loss away at Olympiacos in the Champions League midweek and it’s been a miserable period for Kasper Hjulmand and his side.

They’ve gone to sleep offensively and are struggling in front of goal This is a fixture that should suit Leverkusen on paper and they desperately need to take advantage of that here.

Werder Bremen preview: No wins since resumption

Since the Bundesliga returned to action in 2026, Werder Bremen are still without a victory to their names, having lost 3-0 away at Borussia Dortmund before drawing 3-3 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in an absolute thriller. But a lack of wins is starting to take their toll as they slide further down the table.

As it stands, Werder are averaging exactly two goals conceded per game in the league and such numbers will need to come down if the visitors are to rebound anytime soon.

Bayer Leverkusen team news: Goalkeeper out

Injury to first-choice stopper Mark Flekken means a start for Janis Blaswich, whilst Ben Seghir, Tapsoba and Nathan Tella are also out.

Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Blaswich; Andrich, Bade, Quansah; Hofmann, Maza, Garcia, Grimaldo; Tillman, Schick, Poku

Unavailable: Ben Seghir (Injured), Flekken (Injured), Tapsoba (Injured), Tella (Injured)

Questionable: 

Werder Bremen team news: Five missing

Victor Boniface headlines the list of absentees for Werder Bremen heading into this one. Agu, Stark, Weiser and Wober also miss out and Deman could join them on the sidelines.

Predicted XI: (3-5-2): Backhaus; Pieper, Friedl, Coulibaly; Sugawara, Schmid, Lynen, Stage, Schmidt; Njinmah, Grull

Unavailable: Agu (Injured), Boniface (Injured), Stark (Injured), Weiser (Injured), Wober (Injured)

Questionable: Deman (Injured)

Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen prediction

Back at home, Bayer Leverkusen have little excuse here despite their recent wobble. They’ve enough pieces going forward to do damage against an underwhelming Werder Bremen backline and with home advantage in their favour, Hjulmand’s men should be controlling much of the play and wearing out the opposition both physically and mentally.

Whilst they’ve not been in good form of late, Leverkusen remain the better team of the two set to be on show and with the players at the disposal of Hjulmand, the home side are worth backing to pick up the three points.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win