Werder Bremen vs Bayer Leverkusen

Weserstadion forms the backdrop for an exciting Bundesliga match-up between familiar foes Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen.

Werder Bremen delivered another astonishing away performance last weekend in a 4-2 thrashing of Wolfsburg, making it three consecutive Bundesliga wins on the road to move within a two-point distance of the top six pre-round. However, Ole Werner’s men have massively underperformed on home turf. Only one point from their first three home league outings this season (D1, L2) paints a bleak picture for the hosts, who have only won twice in their last ten top-flight matches at the Weserstadion (D3, L5). As if that disappointing stretch isn’t troubling enough, Werder Bremen are up against a Bayer Leverkusen side they have failed to beat in any of their last eight meetings in the Bundesliga (D4, L4), losing both H2Hs in 2023/24 by an aggregate score of 8-0.

However, the reigning Bundesliga holders are seemingly no longer a force they used to last term, as recently witnessed by an underwhelming 1-1 draw against UEFA Champions League debutants Brest. Xabi Alonso’s side at least bounced back from a disheartening 2-2 home draw against top-flight newcomers Holstein Kiel with a dramatic 2-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend to stay within a three-point distance of table-topping Bayern Munich. Since losing to RB Leipzig at home in late August, ‘Die Werkself’ have gone eight consecutive matches without losing in all competitions (W5, D3) to set themselves up nicely for this road trip, looking to end a two-game winless run away from home (D2).