Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Bayern Munich welcomes Werder Bremen with a fifth consecutive league win firmly settled in Julian Nagelsmann’s mind.

Bayern Munich are in a good run of form, having won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions. Julian Nagelsmann is eyeing a fifth consecutive Bundesliga win against Werder Bremen. Hertha Berlin gave Munich a scare on Saturday, but the league leaders overcame the problem by holding out for a 3-2 win.

Eric Choupo Moting scored for the seventh straight game and bagged a brace to add to Jamal Musiala’s opener against Hertha. The opposition battled back through a goal from Dodi Lukebakio and a penalty from Davie Selke. Yet, the Bavarians held their ground and saw through to the finish line.

Nagelsmann hopes his side does not repeat that performance, as he wants to finish the Bundesliga season before the World Cup break. Over the weekend, they went ahead to the summit of the Bundesliga after previous leaders Union Berlin suffered a surprising 5-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

Werder Bremen come to the Allianz Arena seeking to maintain their winning run. Werner’s side have won their previous two games and is looking for a third. However, the road ahead is tough with Bayern Munich in their way, but the newly promoted team will give their all.

A morale-boosting win over fellow newcomers Schalke 04 will go a long way in instilling belief. Moreover, the win was necessary for Werner’s men after they finished behind them in the second tier last season. They will certainly hope for a positive result against Bayern, as it could boost their quest for a finish in European places.

Team News & Tactics

Bayern Munich

Alphonso Davies suffered a muscle tear at the weekend, which puts his World Cup in doubt. In any case, he will not feature for Bayern until after the Qatar tournament. Nagelsmann may resort to Lucas Hernandez filling in for the Canadian at left-back after the Frenchman returned from his injury problem at the weekend.

Matthijs de Ligt is also expected to be absent with a knee issue, and Bayern are unlikely to risk him before the World Cup. Similarly, Nagelsmann will not take a chance on the fitness of Thomas Muller, who is joined by Josip Stanisic and Bouna Sarr on the sidelines.

Manuel Neuer is expected to be fit for the Bremen clash, while Leroy Sane is pushing for a start. Musiala could continue in Muller’s role behind the striker, while Choupo-Moting will likely remain in the lead forward role.

Sane may have to be on the bench against Bremen as Nagelsmann is likely to go ahead with Serge Gnabry and Sadio Mane on either wing.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Neuer; Mazraoui, Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Musiala, Mane; Chupo-Moting

Werder Bremen

Werner will have captain Marco Freidl available again after his suspension. It’s a timely return for the skipper, which allows him to play against his former team. Felix Agu is ruled out with a patella tendon injury and will play no part until next year.

Niclas Fullkrug is also a doubt for the midweek clash after hobbling off against Schalke at the weekend. Meanwhile, Jean-Manuel Mbom is also ruled out with a torn Achilles, but Lee Buchanan might return to the squad after missing the weekend’s action.

Werner will field three at the backline, with captain Freidl leading the defence. He will have Milos Veljkovic and Amos Pieper on either side. A midfield-five with Christian Gross as the anchorman, with Ilia Gruev and Romano Schmid on either side in support.

Mitchell Weiser and Anthony Jung will play as wing-backs, with a front-two of Marvin Ducksch and Niclas Fullkrug leading the line for Bremen.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2) – Pavlenka; Veljkovic, Freidl, Pieper; Weiser, Gruev, Gross, Schmid, Jung; Ducksch, Fullkrug

Key Stats

• Bayern have won 20 of their last 21 matches against Werder Bremen in all competitions.
• Bayern have scored at least 4 goals in their last 3 home matches in the Bundesliga.
• Bayern are undefeated in their last 13 home matches in the Bundesliga.
• Werder Bremen are 14 points clear of the relegation zone.
• Werder Bremen have scored five goals in added time this season in the Bundesliga.

Player to Watch

Eric Choupo-Moting

One look at the 33-year-old striker’s remarkable career started with decent clubs, and he looks set to ride into the sunset at one of the bigger clubs. Paris Saint-Germain signing him from Stoke was a surprise, and Choupo-Moting getting a move to Bayern somewhat shocked many.

His time here has always been on the periphery, but he has taken off in the right direction this season. His presence has allowed Nagelsmann to endure injury while not bringing the standards down with the team’s goalscoring. The striker will be aiming to score in a fifth consecutive Bundesliga match.

Prediction

Bayern Munich 3-1 Werder Bremen

Bayern tends to go into any Bundesliga matchday as overwhelming favourites, and the status remains intact against Werder Bremen. The Bavarians are on a good run of form and will be eying a fifth consecutive win in the league.

As for Bremen, they have the presence of striker Fullkrug, who became the second player this season to move into double figures for goals in the league. Bremen are expected to score at some stage but will likely suffer defeat against Bayern away from home.