SV Werder Bremen are set to welcome newly-promoted side Holstein Kiel to the Weserstadion on Saturday, 09/11/24, for a clash between two of the most northerly Bundesliga sides (kick-off 15:30 CET). The Green-Whites are hoping to grab their first home win of the season against the side with the best away record in the second-division last season.
Squad update: Neither Marco Grüll (muscle injury) nor Mitchell Weiser (suspended) will be available for the match. As reported by Ole Werner in his press conference, it will be a case of waiting and seeing after the final training session as to whether Alvero Skelly will participate in the contest.
Ole Werner on the opponent: “It came as little surprise to me when they got that first win. They defend well and very compactly and can play out well. We are certainly aware of their quality, not only after this first win but also based off of their previous performances. They performed well away from home in Leverkusen and Stuttgart in particular.”
Recent meetings: The previous two meetings between SVW and KSV both ended in defeats for Werder during the 2021/22 season, losing 2-1 and 3-2. Two years on and the Green-Whites face the Storks once again, this time around for their first-ever Bundesliga clash.
An historic victory: Matchday 9 saw Kiel earn win number one in their Bundesliga history, while also keeping their first-ever top-flight clean sheet, although the Storks remain 17th in the standings. Kiel’s goalscorer turned out to be their defensive leader Patrick Erras, who in fact played seven times for SVW during the 2020/21 season. The former Werder player’s goal ensured that Holstein Kiel grabbed their first home points of the campaign, with their sights now set on a first victory on the road.
Strong in ground duels: Kiel are impressive when it comes to ground duels, winning 53.94% of them so far this season, the second-highest rate in the league. This statistic decreases slightly to 49.37% for aerial duels. According to records held by “1vs1”, Marcel Rapp’s team also boast the third-highest tally for turnovers in their own defensive third.
