The Bundesliga returns this Friday with champions Bayern Munich travelling to Werder Bremen for their opening fixture. The Bavarians will be keen to prove a point following the DFL Super Cup defeat to RB Leipzig and will not get easier opponents than Bremen, who had an erratic preseason after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.
Werder Bremen began pre-season on a decent note with three consecutives against Drochtersen/Assel, VFB Oldenburg and Toulouse. However, they appeared to lose their way as the new season drew closer, failing to win their last three matches.
Ole Warner’s side already suffered their first setback of the season, 3-2 defeat to 3 Liga side Viktoria Koln in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. They took the lead twice through Marvin Ducksch and Nico Fullkrug but were pegged back both times before conceding the winner.
Werder Bremen’s poor form towards the back end of last season will also not do much to inspire confidence within their rank. They won just one of their final 12 Bundesliga matches and ended the campaign on a five-match winless run.
Bayern Munich’s pursuit and eventual acquisition of Harry Kane was the saga of the transfer market. While the England striker certainly strengthens the reigning Bundesliga champions, he failed to get his hands on some silverware at the first time of asking as they were beaten 3-0 by RB Leipzig in the DFL Super Cup.
While it was undoubtedly a disappointing performance and defeat, Bayern Munich can take confidence from their pre-season showings. Thomas Tuchel’s men claimed victories against the likes of Kawasaki Frontale, Liverpool and Monaco.
The title race went down the wire last season as Bayern Munich claimed four wins from their final five matches to clinch the trophy. The Bavarians also won four of their final five away matches, a run they will be keen to continue at Bremen on Friday.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have installed Bayern Munich as clear favourites with a home win valued at 2/9 with BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Werder Bremen is priced at 9/1 by Paddy Power while a share of the spoils is set at odds of 6/1 by bet365.
Recent Head to Head
Bayern Munich are unbeaten in the last 15 matches against Werder Bremen, claiming 14 wins in that run. They did the double over Bremen last season, claiming a 6-1 victory at Allianz Arena before picking up a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.
Bremen has lost 14 of their last 15 Bundesliga home games against Bayern, drawing the other one. They last beat the record champions at home in 2006 while Bayern claimed all three points in the last match of this fixture courtesy of a 2-1 victory at WESERSTADION in May.
Players to watch
Harry Kane would be keen to get his Bundesliga career off to a good start after the disappointment of missing out on yet another career trophy. Kane scored 30 league goals for Tottenham Hotspur last season despite limited service could be backed to earn a debut goal at 7/10 with Unibet.
Nico Fullkrug finished as Bundesliga top scorer last season, the first Werder Bremen player to achieve that feat since Miroslav Klose in the 2005-06 season. The striker will be looking to hit the ground running and is priced at 11/4 with Paddy Power to find the net on Friday.
Anything else catch the eye?
Bayern Munich often dominate this fixture and with the addition of Harry Kane, another one-sided clash could be expected. A -2 handicap can be considered at 8/5 with BetVictor.
There have been over 3.5 goals in two of the last three meetings between Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich and a repeat is priced at 4/5 with Unibet. Given Bayern’s attacking talents and dominant record in this fixture, they can be tipped to win both halves at 31/20 with Coral.
This German Bundesliga match between Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich will be played on Aug 18, 2023 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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Paddy Power
9/2
Kane to score a header