Bayer Leverkusen welcome Werder Bremen on Saturday to the BayArena in a Bundesliga clash. The champions are still attempting to chase down leaders Bayern Munich and should have the upper hand over the visitors, who are poor at the moment.
Leverkusen head into this fixture off the back of a 3-0 Champions League Round 16 first leg loss at Bayern Munich. They will be keen to put that result behind them and turn their attention to their pursuit of Bayern.
Things are much better domestically for Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in their last 22 Bundesliga matches, winning four of the last five at home. However, Xabi Alonso’s men have failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their last seven fixtures at the BayArena.
Werder Bremen come into this match following a 2-1 home defeat to Wolfsburg last time out in the Bundesliga.
Defensive struggles have been a major issue, with 15 goals conceded in their last five matches, an average of three per game. However, Ole Werner’s men have scored in four of their last six matches, for a total seven goals in that run.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 1/4 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Werder Bremen is valued at 8/1 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 9/2 for a draw.
Head to head: Bayer Leverkusen on top
Bayer Leverkusen have a 31-26 advantage, with 35 draws from 92 previous matches against Werder Bremen. The champions have claimed three wins in the last four meetings and were held to a 2-2 away draw in the reverse fixture back in October.
Players to watch: Red hot Schick
Patrik Schick has 16 Bundesliga goals this season and could be the one to watch on Saturday. The forward has also found the net 11 times in the last 10 matches in the league and is priced at 10/11 by BoyleSports to maintain his scoring run.
Jens Stage is Werder Bremen’s top scorer with seven league goals and could be worth keeping an eye on. The forward could get some joy against Bayer Leverkusen’s shaky backline and is priced at 13/2 with BoyleSports to find the net.
Probable line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen will be without Robert Andrich, Martin Terrier and Jeanuel Belocian who are all sidelined. However, Patrict Schick should start upfront after coming on as a substitute in midweek while Nathan Tella and Granit Xhaka are all expected to retain their places in the line-up.
Werder Bremen are dealing with multiple injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash, with Justin Njinmah, Marco Grull, Patrice Covic, Romano Schmid and Skelly Alvero all doubtful. Meanwhile, Marco Friedl, Marvin Ducksch, Abdenego Nankishi and Niklas Stark remain sidelined due to injuries.
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky; Hermoso, Tah, Mukiele; Grimaldo, Xhaka, Garcia, Frimpong; Tella, Schick, Wirtz
Werder Bremen: Zetterer, Veljković, Jung, Pieper, Agu, Bittencourt, Lynen, Stage, Weiser, Silva, Stage
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in six of Bayer Leverkusen’s last ten matches and a repeat is expected at evens with BoyleSports. Three of the last four meetings have produced over 3.5 goals, which is priced at 13/10 with BoyleSports.
Bayer Leverkusen are priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, so a win and both teams to score can be considered at 15/8.
This German Bundesliga match between Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen will be played on and kick off at 14:30. Check below for our tipsters best Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
