Bundesliga | Gameweek 22

Feb 16, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

wohninvest WESERSTADION (Bremen)

Werder Bremen vs Hoffenheim

Match preview

Werder Bremen were dominated by Bayern, managing just two shots for a total of 0.13 xG against six good chances and over four xG.

Despite the defeat, the hosts are just seven points behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the Bundesliga's final Champions League qualifying spot but have played a game more than Werder.

Coach Ole Werner is serving a one-match suspension following his dismissal against Mainz 05 on 31 January, leaving assistant manager Patrick Kohlmann in charge of the home side.

The Green and Whites will need to improve on their recent form if they are to emerge victorious on Sunday, having lost three, drawn two and won just one of their last six matches.

However, Werner will be confident of his side's ability to pick up a positive result at the Weserstadion given their strong home record, with four wins, three draws and one defeat in their last eight outings.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, had six good chances, almost three xGs and 17 shots from inside the area against Union Berlin.

Coach Christian Ilzer's side sit one place and four points above relegation-threatened Heidenheim and five points above 17th-placed Holstein Kiel.

The visitors will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their defeat at Werder Bremen on 29 September, when they conceded four times between the 21st and 49th minutes, surrendering a three-goal lead after 12 minutes and eventually losing 4-3.

The Kraichgauer go into Sunday's game on the back of two successive defeats, having lost six and drawn three of their last ten Bundesliga games.

To his credit, Ilzer has overseen two victories in his last three away games, but his side had failed to win any of their previous 12 away matches, losing seven and being held to a stalemate on five occasions.

Recent Performance

Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:LDLDWL

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:LLWDLL

Hoffenheim form (all competitions):WLDWLL

Team News

Werder Bremen will be without midfielders Jens Stage and Senne Lynen, meaning that Romano Schmid and Leonardo Bittencourt may have to play in a double pivot.

Centre-backs Julian Malatini and Marco Friedl have also been ruled out, while Felix Agu is a doubt through illness, and their absence could see Milos Veljkovic, Niklas Stark and Anthony Jung start in a back three.

Striker Andre Silva, on loan from RB Leipzig, is likely to start up front due to Keke Topp's injury.

Hoffenheim's injury crisis continues, with defenders Christopher Lenz, Ozan Kabak and Valentin Gendrey, as well as goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, ruled out.

Centre-backs Arthur Chaves and Leo Ostigard could start at the back behind a double pivot of Dennis Geiger and Tom Bischof, while midfielders Anton Stach, Diadie Samassekou, Grischa Promel and Umut Tohumcu are unlikely to feature.

Erencan Yardimci, Max Moerstedt, Andrej Kramaric and Marius Bulter could all start in attack, with Adam Hlozek, Haris Tabakovic and Ihlas Bebou also likely to miss out.

Possible starting lineup

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Zetterer; Veljkovic, Stark, Jung; Weiser, Bittencourt, Schmid, Kabore; Ducksch, Grull; Silva

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Philipp; Kaderabek, Chaves, Ostigard, Jurasek; Geiger, Bischof; Yardimci, Kramaric, Bulter; Moerstedt