Overview: Werder Bremen welcome Holstein Kiel at Weserstadion on Saturday afternoon in the Bundesliga, and for the hosts, this is a chance to respond after a narrow 4-1 defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach. Meanwhile, Holstein Kiel comes into this match fresher as they managed to notch up a home win over Heidenheim.
Match Preview
Werder Bremen has had a rollercoaster season. They stand at 12 points after nine games, marked by three wins, three draws, and three losses. While they had impressive performances like their 4-2 win over Wolfsburg and the 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, there were others where they were outplayed, like a match they conceded three first-half goals to and finished with ten men against Monchengladbach.
Meanwhile, Werder Bremen back home are looking to turn around a concerning home record, having picked up just two points so far at Weserstadion. That’s the worst home start since the 2017-18 season. What’s more, they have never taken the lead in home games and scored only two goals on their own field this season — only the second-lowest in the league.
By contrast, Holstein Kiel earned their maiden Bundesliga triumph last week, beating Heidenheim 1-0. Prior to that, they had a disastrous start in the top division, gathering just two points in the first eight matches. Kiel has been badly hurt at the back, letting in 23 goals in nine games, next only to Bochum.
Historically, Kiel is leading this matchup by winning both of their encounters with Werder Bremen during the 2021-22 season in 2. Bundesliga. However, Werder Bremen enter as the favorites this time around.
Form Guide
Werder Bremen Bundesliga form: LWLWDL
Werder Bremen overall form: WLWDWL
Holstein Kiel Bundesliga form: DLDLLW
Holstein Kiel overall form: LDLLLW
Team News:
Werder Bremen manager Ole Werner has to make do without suspensions to Mitchell Weiser and Naby Keita. Abdenego Nankishi could also be made to sit out with a knock alongside other injury concerns Leon Opitz and Marco Grull.
Holstein Kiel does face some setbacks as well: the fixture will witness five players, including long-term casualty Colin Kleine-Bekel, sidelined. Carl Johansson is suffering from a knee injury and is ruled out until mid-December. Alexander Bernhardsson and Andu Kelati will not feature against Werder Bremen.
Probable Lineups
Werder Bremen: Zetterer; Malatini, Friedl, Pieper; Agu, Bittencourt, Lynen, Kohn; Schmid, Njinmah; Ducksch
Holstein Kiel: Weiner; Ivezic, Erras, Geschwill; Becker, Remberg, Knudsen, Gigovic, Puchacz; Skrzybski, Harres
Prediction
Despite the fact that Werder Bremen are in poor home form, their opponents bring along poor away form and defensive weaknesses that will help the hosts clinch their win. I predict Werder Bremen to secure their first home win of the season in a 2-1 result.
