The Green-Whites are looking to head into the winter break on the back of a win in the last home game of the year against RB Leipzig on Tuesday, 19th December (18:30 CET). Although the upcoming opponents are currently third in the league, Ole Werner’s team are looking to replicate their past successes at the wohninvest WESERSTADION and round off 2023 with three points.
Squad update: Amos Pieper (broken ankle), Nicolai Rapp (foot injury), and Leon Opitz (torn ligament in foot) will all remain absent from the squad. There's still a question mark over Milos Veljkovic (knock to knee), Niklas Stark (knock to hip), and Naby Keïta (ill). On a more positive note, captain Marco Friedl returned to team training on Monday and is an option for the starting XI against Leipzig.
Ole Werner on the game: “I want to see a team that creates their own chances and makes the most of them when they arise. We discussed the situation surrounding the squad, and it won’t make it any easier for us – that’s why Leipzig will definitely be the favourites going into the game. We want to make it difficult for them in possession, replicate our last strong home performances, and work together as a team. When we approach the game as one, anything’s possible for us at home.”
Head-to-head record: Leipzig are certainly the side with a better track record in the fixture against Werder Bremen. RBL have come out on top in ten of the last 13 clashes against the Green-Whites, with two wins for SVW, and the other game ending level. Although there’s a chance that he might not make an appearance on Tuesday, ex-RBL player Naby Keïta is the joint top goalscorer in this fixture alongside Marcel Sabitzer. Werder last beat Leipzig over four years ago, where Milot Rashica and Claudio Pizarro fired home to secure a 2-1 win for the Green-Whites in May 2019.
Mixing it up: If they are to defeat Leipzig, SVW will have to defend vigilantly. RBL do not just keep the ball well, but they also try their luck from long range when in doubt. Only VfL Bochum (96) have shot from outside the penalty area more than head coach Marco Rose’s side (86). Equally, only FC Bayern (6) have bettered the reigning DFB-Pokal champions’ total of five goals from distance.
The subs: SVW have benefitted from five goals from substitutes over the first half of the campaign, while Justin Njinmah had a big role to play in securing a point in Mönchengladbach with his assist. Rose’s side have profited even more from the quality in their squad, with eight goals from substitutes so far this season. Last time out, Emil Forsberg, who is leaving the club to move to New York and is set to appear for Leipzig for the last time in Bremen, bid farewell to his home crowd with a goal off the bench against Hoffenheim.
