RB Leipzig will be fighting for a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League when they take on a resurgent Werder Bremen on Saturday.
A crucial Bundesliga clash awaits at Weserstadion as Werder Bremen host RB Leipzig in a fixture that could shape both ends of the table. While Bremen are battling to steer clear of danger and build momentum under new management, Leipzig arrive with their sights firmly set on securing a Champions League place. With both teams carrying something to fight for, this has all the ingredients of a high-stakes encounter.
Werder Bremen’s season looked increasingly fragile not too long ago, but there are now clear signs of recovery. Daniel Thioune endured a difficult start to life in charge, with three straight defeats leaving the club hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. However, the response since then has been encouraging. A victory over Heidenheim sparked a turnaround, and Bremen have now won three of their last four matches, suggesting the squad has begun to respond to their new manager’s approach.
Their most recent win against Wolfsburg was particularly important. It may not have been the most expansive performance, but it demonstrated discipline, organisation and a growing defensive solidity, something Bremen had been lacking earlier in the campaign. Even so, there is still work to be done. Their home form remains inconsistent, and that could be a concern against a Leipzig side with far greater attacking firepower. If Bremen are to continue their resurgence, they will need to combine their improved defensive structure with a sharper attacking edge.
Meanwhile, after a difficult spell that saw them struggle for consistency, RB Leipzig have responded strongly, collecting nine points from their last four matches and re-establishing themselves in the top four. Their recent 5-0 demolition of Hoffenheim was a statement of sorts, but it will mean nothing if they cannot keep the run going.
That performance showcased everything Leipzig can be when they are at their best: aggressive pressing, quick transitions and clinical finishing. It also reinforced the idea that they have the quality to compete at the top end of the table, even if their season has had its ups and downs. However, one concern remains their away form as Leipzig have been far less convincing on the road in recent months, and that inconsistency could give Bremen some hope heading into this clash.
Bremen will aim to stay compact, disciplined and organised, particularly in defensive phases. They are unlikely to dominate possession against Leipzig, so their focus will be on limiting space, breaking up rhythm and looking for opportunities to counter. The key for the home side will be maintaining concentration and defensive shape throughout the match. The visitors are the kind of team that can punish even brief lapses with devastating efficiency.
Leipzig, on the other hand, will look to impose themselves through pressing and tempo. Their ability to win the ball high up the pitch and transition quickly into attacking situations is one of their biggest strengths. If they are allowed to build momentum early, Bremen could find themselves under sustained pressure. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the teams could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Werder Bremen
Daniel Thioune heads into this fixture with significant problems in both defence and attack, and Werder Bremen’s squad depth could be seriously tested against a high-level opponent like RB Leipzig. The biggest concern is at the back, where Julian Malatini is ruled out with a knee injury and Maximilian Wober is unavailable due to a thigh problem.
To make matters worse, both Amos Pieper and Niklas Stark are also carrying issues, a knee concern for Pieper and a calf issue for Stark, leaving Werder short of natural central defenders. On the right flank, Mitchell Weiser is sidelined with a knee injury, removing an important attacking and defensive outlet.
There are no major suspension concerns reported, but the injury list alone leaves Thioune with major selection headaches. Further forward, Werder Bremen are also weakened in attack ahead of the game against RB Leipzig, with Keke Topp and Victor Boniface both set to miss the rest of the season through knee injuries, while Jovan Milosevic is a doubt because of a back issue.
Goalkeeper Karl Hein has also returned from loan following surgery on a hand injury, though that is not expected to affect the starting spot as Mio Backhaus should be fit and available. Tactically, Werder Bremen are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a shape that should help them remain compact and organised given the number of defensive absences.
In goal, Mio Backhaus is likely to start and will be expected to play a major role against a Leipzig side that should create plenty of pressure. At right-back, Yukinari Sugawara is expected to feature and will likely be tasked with balancing defensive discipline and occasional forward support. In central defence, Marco Friedl and Karim Coulibaly are likely to form the makeshift pairing, with Friedl’s experience likely to be especially important in organising the line and helping Werder stay compact. On the left side, Olivier Deman is expected to start and will need to contribute both defensively and in helping the team progress the ball when possible.
In midfield, Senne Lynen and Cameron Puertas are expected to form the double pivot. Lynen should provide energy, ball-winning ability and positional discipline in front of the back four, while Puertas is likely to help with ball progression and linking deeper areas to the more advanced attackers. This pairing will be crucial if Werder are to stay competitive, because much of their task will revolve around disrupting Leipzig’s rhythm and preventing the visitors from dominating central zones too easily.
Further forward, Werder are expected to use Marco Grull on the right, Jens Stage in the central attacking midfield role, and Romano Schmid from the left, operating behind Justin Njinmah. Grull and Schmid should provide movement and support in transition, while Stage may be asked to add physicality and late runs into attacking areas. Up front, Njinmah is likely to lead the line and will have a demanding role, as he may need to operate with limited service while also trying to stretch Leipzig’s backline whenever Werder Bremen manage to break forward.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Backhaus; Sugawara, Friedl, Coulibaly, Deman; Lynen, Puertas; Grull, Stage, Schmid; Njinmah
RB Leipzig
For the visitors, there is some positive news ahead of this trip, particularly with the return of Peter Gulacsi, who is expected to come back into the starting XI after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for five matches. However, Leipzig are not without their own fitness concerns.
Goalkeeping depth has been reduced by the absence of Leopold Zingerle, who is sidelined with a wrist injury. In defence, Kosta Nedeljkovic is unavailable because of a back issue, while Max Finkgrafe remains a doubt after being withdrawn from international duty. Further forward, Leipzig are also without Brajan Gruda, who is dealing with a groin injury, while teenagers Ayodele Thomas and Viggo Gebel are sidelined with muscle and knee injuries, respectively.
There are no major suspension concerns reported for the visitors, so the main challenge for Ole Werner is managing the few missing names while keeping his side’s momentum intact during a vital stage of the top-four race. Tactically, RB Leipzig are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, a system that should allow them to play with intensity, press high and maintain attacking width.
In goal, Peter Gulacsi is likely to return and should immediately provide experience, leadership and calmness at the back. At right-back, Ridle Baku is expected to start and will offer energy and forward thrust, while Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba are likely to form the central defensive partnership. Orban should bring leadership and aerial presence, while Lukeba’s pace and composure in possession make him an important part of Leipzig’s build-up play. On the left side, David Raum is expected to start and will once again be a major attacking outlet from full-back, particularly with his crossing and ability to push high up the pitch.
In midfield, Leipzig are likely to use Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, and Christoph Baumgartner as their central trio. Schlager should provide energy, pressing and physicality, while Seiwald is likely to offer balance and positional control from deeper areas. Baumgartner, meanwhile, should have the freedom to contribute more progressively, helping Leipzig move the ball into dangerous spaces and supporting attacks with late runs and intelligent movement. This midfield combination gives Leipzig a strong blend of intensity, structure and technical quality, which could be crucial in controlling the rhythm of the game.
Further forward, Leipzig are expected to field Yan Diomande on the right wing, Romulo as the central striker, and Antonio Nusa from the left. Diomande should bring directness and pace in wide areas, while Nusa offers flair, dribbling and the ability to attack defenders one-on-one. Through the middle, Romulo is expected to lead the line and will be tasked with occupying Werder’s weakened defence, making runs in behind and finishing the chances created around him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa
Key Stats
- Werder Bremen have won three of their last four Bundesliga matches.
- RB Leipzig have taken nine points from their last four league games.
- RB Leipzig defeated Hoffenheim 5-0 in their most recent match.
- Werder Bremen have won just one of their last eight home matches.
- RB Leipzig have won only three away games in all competitions since October 28.
Player to Watch
Christoph Baumgartner
In a match-up where Leipzig are expected to dominate possession and territory, the role of the advanced midfielder becomes crucial. Werder Bremen are likely to sit compact, especially given their defensive injury crisis, which means breaking lines and finding space between midfield and defence will be ke and that is exactly the area where Christoph Baumgartner thrives.
His ability to arrive late into attacking zones, drift into pockets of space and link midfield with attack makes him particularly dangerous against teams that defend deep. If Werder collapse into a low block, Baumgartner’s movement could be the difference between sterile possession and genuine goalscoring opportunities.
He also adds an extra dimension to Leipzig’s attacking play. While the front three will look to stretch the pitch and attack wide areas, Baumgartner often becomes the connector who turns build-up into penetration into space. Whether it is through a well-timed run into the box, a clever through ball, or simply recycling possession under pressure, his influence can shape the tempo and rhythm of Leipzig’s attacking phases.
Given Werder’s likely defensive approach and their vulnerability in central areas due to injuries, this feels like the kind of game where Baumgartner could have significant involvement, even if it is not always reflected directly in goals or assists. If Leipzig are to break through efficiently and maintain control, Christoph Baumgartner is the player most likely to make that happen.
Prediction
Werder Bremen 1-3 RB Leipzig
Werder Bremen should be organised and resilient, especially given their recent uptick in form, but their injury-hit defence makes this a very difficult assignment. They are likely to sit compact and try to frustrate Leipzig for long periods, hoping to stay in the game and create chances on the break.
On the other hand, RB Leipzig arrive with greater quality, stronger attacking depth and clear motivation in the race for Champions League qualification. Even with some inconsistency away from home, their ability to press high, create overloads and exploit defensive gaps should give them a decisive edge, particularly against a weakened back line. Werder may keep things competitive for a while, but Leipzig’s attacking intensity should eventually make the difference.