Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen Preview: Team News & Prediction

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After losing two more points of ground to Bayern Munich over the weekend, Borussia Dortmund now host mid-table Werder Bremen.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – ESPN+

Borussia Dortmund preview: Draw specialists

Borussia Dortmund may have been saved from defeat in Frankfurt by a last-gasp goal but the result did very little to aide their title challenge, which is starting to look more and more doomed as table toppers Bayern continue to pull away. Although Dortmund still sits in second-place, the gap between the two clubs now stands at 11 points.

After being pegged back twice, it looked like Dortmund had thrown the game away against Eintracht, conceding a third goal in second half stoppage time. But Carney Chukwuemeka stepped up in the 96th minute to rescue Niko Kovac’s side.

Werder Bremen preview: Winless streak continues

Despite putting a point on the board this past weekend, Werder Bremen are now without victory in their last five Bundesliga fixtures, picking up just two points over that period. This leaves them in mid-table but much closer to the bottom three than the European places, so they cannot rest on their laurels.

Werder’s lack of cutting edge offensively has been a key factor to their recent struggles, having been shut out in three of those five winless games. It doesn’t get easier for the attack here on the road at a Champions League team.

Borussia Dortmund team news: Bensebaini potential

Having flown back to Germany after his side was eliminated in the Africa Cup of Nations, defender Ramy Bensebaini could play some part in this match for the hosts, depending on his fitness levels.

Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Kobel; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Couto, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Beier, Guirassy, Chukwuemeka

Unavailable: Anselmino (Injured)

Questionable: Bensebaini (Fitness)

Werder Bremen team news: Still plenty of injuries

There is still a long way to go before Werder Bremen have a fully fit squad with up to six players expected to miss the trip to Borussia Dortmund through injury.

Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Backhaus; Pieper, Friedl, Coulibaly; Sugawara, Stage, Lynen, Schmidt; Schmid, Njinmah, Puertas

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

Questionable: 

Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen prediction

Borussia Dortmund’s hopes of a miracle are already fading just one game into 2026 and it’s easy to see why when considering the ever-growing gap between them and the Rekordmeister. This is a simply a must-win match from their perspective and the hosts will be expected to dominate much of the 90 minutes and create more than enough chances to triumph.

Factor in the poor recent form of Werder and the likely lack of confidence within their squad and this could wind up being a long evening for them. Any outcome other than victory for the hosts would be a big surprise.

Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen tip: Borussia Dortmund to win