A third division side against a Bundesliga side on paper is a foregone conclusion. "Obviously we are the favourites" knows Werder manager Viktor Skripnik, though he will not want to take the gulf in class for granted when his team faces Arminia Bielefeld on Wednesday evening (19:00 CET). "Bielefeld are the perfect opponent for us at this time. They are an awkward team to play at the moment and are proving unusually difficult to beat. We need this game as a test of our character", explained Skripnik at his press conference on Tuesday. He completely ruled out the chances of Fritz, Di Santo and Co. being rested for the game. "Nobody will treat this game lightly. I know my players and am certain that they will give 100%."

After the Bundesliga match with VfL Wolfsburg, the Werder manager has had just two days and two training sessions to properly prepare his team for the game in Bielefeld. Of the short recovery sessions at the beginning of the week, only one final session remains to prepare for the game. On a positive note Davie Selke was back in training after overcoming a cold. It remains undecided, however, whether or not he will play tomorrow. "We need to see what state his body is in" disclosed Skripnik. As a result the Werder manager has included 19 players in his squad for now.

Aside from the long term injuries of Philipp Bargfrede, Assani Lukimya and Alejandro Gálvez, the manager doesn't have to worry about any other players returning to fitness, as was the case for the Wolfsburg game. The Ukrainian is certain that "the strongest team will be on the pitch and everyone will give 100% from the first minute." Fin Bartels, who was missing from the Wolfsburg game because of suspension, is also an available for selection. The eleven names that will eventually appear on the team sheet will "be revealed shortly before the game" revealed Skripnik coyly.

The 19 players that were on the team bus to Bielefeld are:

Wolf, Casteels, -Garcia, Caldirola, Makiadi, Vestergaard, Fritz, Di Santo, Öztunali, Hajrovic, Prödl, Junuzovic, Kroos, Bartels, Gebre, Selassie, Selke, Eggestein, Sternberg, Fröde