FC Cologne vs Werder Bremen Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
Updated
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The evening kick-off on Saturday sees FC Cologne face Werder Bremen with both teams locked together on three points in mid-table.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – ESPN+
FC Cologne preview: Thrashed at Stuttgart
FC Cologne were brought back down to earth with a bump after the opening round of Bundesliga fixtures ended with them picking up three points in a fantastic game against Hoffenheim which saw them come from behind twice to win 3-2. But Stuttgart away proved a bridge too far for this side.
Offensive quality, the FC Cologne backline were outclassed and that was reflected in the final score, with Stuttgart winning 4-1. Back on home turf here, Rene Wagner's men will back themselves to respond strongly.
Werder Bremen preview: On the winners board
Werder Bremen came into last weekend's games without a point to their name due to being taken down comprehensively by Freiburg the previous week, Julian Schuster's side beating them by four goals to one in the Black Forest. But home is where the heart is for Werder following an eye-catching triumph over Leipzig.
When considering the calibre of squad possessed by Leipzig, it was a notable three points for this Werder Bremen side, who scored early on and never looked back, ultimately winning 3-1.
FC Cologne team news: Couple of misses
Injuries rule out both Hubers and Waldschmidt for FC Cologne, the former missing with a knee problem and the latter a muscle issue.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Schwabe; Castro-Montes, Simpson-Pusey, Lochoshvili, Mensah; Johannesson, Skhiri, Krauss; Moore, Ache, Maina
Unavailable: Hubers (Injured), Waldschmidt (Injured)
Questionable: Breithaupt (Injured), Kade (Injured)
Werder Bremen team news: Njinmah headlines injury list
Justin Njinmah is out for Werder Bremen, as is Jens Stage and Felix Agu, whilst Werder Bremen will also be missing Senne Lynen and Keke Topp.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Hein; Arthur, Pieper, Friedl, Deman; Chuki, Regeer, Reis; Dinkci, Fullkrug, Grull
Unavailable: Agu (Injured), Lynen (Injured), Njinmah (Injured), Stage (Injured), Topp (Injured)
Questionable: Weiser (Fitness)
FC Cologne vs Werder Bremen prediction
Expect both teams to really go for it here as they try to break out from the middle of pack early on in the Bundesliga. The pair have each won one and lost one but with home advantage in FC Cologne’s favour, the pressure is perhaps more on them to gain three points against Werder Bremen, who lost their only away league game so far heavily.
FC Cologne will look to throw bodies forward whenever possible, but this may leave them open at the other end of the pitch and Werder Bremen are well-placed to take advantage of those spaces in the opposition half, Therefore, a shrewd move would be to back both teams finding the net.
FC Cologne vs Werder Bremen tip: Both teams to score
