On Saturday, 11th May 2024 (15:30 CEST), SV Werder Bremen visit RB Leipzig on the penultimate matchday of the Bundesliga. After the Green-Whites secured survival last week, they are on the hunt for another three points. Leipzig are currently on a run of nine games unbeaten – a streak that SVW are looking to bring to an end.
Squad update: It’s been another week without any new injuries for SVW. Jiri Pavlenka has returned to full team training and will be available again against RB Leipzig. Amos Pieper and Skelly Alvero, both of whom trained individually during the week, are still out for the Green-Whites. Justin Njinmah will remain missing after illness.
Ole Werner on the opposition: “We’re facing a strong opponent in Leipzig. We can’t let ourselves give the ball away too easily and we have to close the gaps. We want to leave everything out there and win the game.”
Previous meetings: There have not been a lot of previous meetings between SV Werder Bremen and RB Leipzig. Of the 14 matches so far, the Green-Whites have won two and there have been two draws. The points were shared in the reverse fixture, after Justin Njinmah slotted home the equaliser 15 minutes from time.
Free-kick specialists: No Bundesliga team has scored more often from free kicks this season than RB Leipzig. They have found the net five times from these situations. But if one team can defend these, it’s SV Werder Bremen. The Green-Whites have conceded just once from a free kick, putting them third in the division for this. SVW have an equally good record from their own set pieces. Their four goals from free kicks is the fifth-most in the Bundesliga.
Party poopers: Few teams savour playing in big matches as much as SV Werder Bremen. A look at the results from the current season shows that Werder love to pick up points against apparently stronger opponents. An example of this is the 1-0 win over FC Bayern on Matchday 18, when SVW became at that point only the second team to beat the then-reigning champions this season. The Green-Whites also won 2-1 against VfB Stuttgart, who were unbeaten in eleven games up until then. Now, Werder are up against another team on a good run of form in Leipzig, who haven’t lost in nine games.
