Werder Bremen vs Union Berlin Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Werder Bremen can overtake Union Berlin in the table with three points against Steffen Baumgart’s side.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – BBC Sport website & BBC iPlayer / US – ESPN+
Werder Bremen preview: Opportunity missed
Werder Bremen will likely be frustrated at not taking advantage of a good fixture on paper to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season in the Bundesliga. Instead, they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against lowly Heidenheim despite leading heading into the final ten minutes, after Jonas Fohrenbach equalised for the struggling hosts.
But it is four points gained from the last six available to Werder and those back-to-back defeats against Freiburg and Bayern Munich already feel like a long time ago. With home advantage here, Werder are at least in a promising position to really kick on and try to put together a long unbeaten run.
Union Berlin preview: Bouncing back
Union Berlin deserves huge credit for the way they responded after losing 2-0 away at Bayer Leverkusen. Hosting Borussia Monchengladbach, Union set the tone early on with a goal after just three minutes through Danilho Doekhi, who then doubled the lead after 26. Whilst Gladbach pulled a goal back just after the half-hour mark, Union went on to hold them off and eventually seal victory deep into the second half.
Their defensive resilience was on show in that game, as was Union’s ability to start quickly and immediately put their opponents under significant pressure from an attacking perspective. If they can build further from this, then those European places will fast become well within reach.
Werder Bremen team news: Several issues
Werder Bremen are dealing with plenty of issues ahead of the visit of Union Berlin this weekend. Key issues remain in defence with Max Wober sidelined, whilst both Niklas Stark and Isaak Schmidt doubtful for the hosts.
Predicted XI: Nagata; Sugawara, Pieper, Friedl, Coulibaly; Stage, Covic, Puertas; Schmid, Grull, Mbangula
Unavailable: Wober (Injured), Weiser (Injured), Agu (Injured), Deman (Injured)
Questionable: Stark (Injured), Schmidt (Injured), Malatini (Injured), Lynen (Injured)
Union Berlin team news: A few doubts
Union Berlin also have a few key issues as Robert Skov remains sidelined for the visitors. They also have several key doubts, too, as Josip Juranovic and Christopher Trimmel are potentially unavailable for the visitors.
Predicted XI: Ronnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Jeong, Khedira, Kemlein, Kohn; Skarke, Ansah; Ilic
Unavailable: Skov (Injured)
Questionable: Juranovic (Injured), Trimmel (Injured), Schafer (Injured), Burcu (Injured)
Werder Bremen vs Union Berlin prediction
Union Berlin’s backline will need to be in top form during this game if Union are to get anything. They’ve been an inconsistent side when it comes to results this season but the attack is full of confidence after last weekend and so expect them to really look at taking advantage of a Werder Bremen side likely under pressure to push bodies forward at home.
More than once already this campaign, a Union fixture has ended up spiralling out of control when it comes to goals both for and against Steffen Baumgart’s men. The offensive play is strong but the defence remains shaky and with that in mind, backing over 2.5 goals scored should be well worth considering.
Werder Bremen vs Union Berlin tip: Over 2.5 goals
