Werder are on a Bundesliga run amounting to three wins in a row, the first such run for the Green-Whites so far this season. The German champions intend to continue their winning ways on Saturday, 19.02.2005 at 3:30pm when they take to the pitch at the AWD-Arena in Lower Saxony to face an improved Hanover 96.

How quickly fortunes can change! Following Werders 2:1 defeat AufSchalke after the winter break, the reigning champions found themselves having slipped down to seventh place in the table, trailing the top two from munich and Gelsenkirchen by nine points. The general opinion was that Werders chance of retaining their title had passed them by.

Three weeks and three games later, the experts had all done an about turn on their opinions of Werders chances. Wins over Hansa Rostock, VfL Wolfsburg and last weeks win over Borussia Mönchengladbach have seen Werder make up lost ground on their opponents and sit now comfortably on a Champions League place. The front runners jump on the title holders has now been whittled down to a mere four points. It's not only Bayern Munichs Michael Ballack who considers the Bremen side as a "Hot Competitor" for the title. The reasons for trainer Thomas Schaafs sides return to form is clear. Werder are once again showing signs of displaying the superiority they maintained during their title winning season. To add to this, the sides ability to compensate at any time for the loss of top players. (Ismael, Ernst, Valdez - suspensions and Klasnic - injury).

Klasnic and Klose out

This weeks training has been plagued by a flu virus which has weakened Thomas schaaf side noticably. Hope remains for a recovery by Nery, Baumann and ernst by Saturday. A muscular injury will definately excempt Ivan klasnic from the squad. Both Frank Fahrenhorst and Miroslav Klose will miss the tie, both having been struck down by the dreaded flu bug.

Hanover 96 have managed to recover from a poor start to the season and the side from Lower Saxony have now found a safe spot in mid-table. Trainer Ewald Lienens strenght has been based around the talents of goalkeeper Robert Enke and German international Per Mertesacker. The latter will miss Saturdays game having also fallen foul to a flu virus which appears to be sweeping Germany. In the midfield, playmaker Krupnikovic will pull the strings and all at Werder will be aware of his ability from set plays. "Hanover are at their most dangerous when they speedily overshoot the midfield straight to the front line", warned Thomas schaaf.

New strike duo of Stendel and Paunovic

Hanovers attack has recently been strenghtened. Alongside old hand Daniel Stendel, 96 have included Veljko Paunovic up front. The Serb, who came from Atletico Madrid and was top of Lienens wish list, has signed with Hanover until 2007. "The Reds" restart has been somewhat unbalanced. Two home defeats by Leverkusen and Dortmund have surrounded a win in Bielefeld and a draw in Freiburg last weekend. Thomas Schaaf expects a defensive opponent on Saturday despite positive away form: "Hanover opted for a defensive line up for both home defeats. They may well want to change that against us."

The German champions can rely on support on mass in the Lower Saxon capital. Some 4,500 Werder fans are expected to travel and give their side another impressive helping of away support.

Johnnie Muldoon