Werder Bremen-Augsburg is a match on the sixth day of the Bundesliga and is played on Friday at 8:30pm
At the Weserstadion, salvation points of a certain weight are at stake. Werder Bremen’s current position in the standings, momentarily eighth and just behind the European zone, is not deceptive. The green-and-whites’ start was undoubtedly positive – two victories, two draws and one defeat – taking into account their newly-promoted status, but coach Ole Werner is preaching calm. He is well aware that his team is not yet equipped to return to a high league table and prefers to keep a low profile, remembering that the primary objective is to maintain the category. And to avoid at all costs repeating the disaster of two seasons ago, when the four-time German champion club had to deal with an unexpected and resounding relegation.
In the meantime, the numbers tell us that Werder can count on one of the most prolific attacks in the league so far: Excluding the usual, overflowing Bayern Munich, the green-and-whites and Union Berlin are on 12 goals. Much better, so far, than better-ranked teams like Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig. The other side of the coin is a defence that is perforated with some frequency: Friedl and his teammates have already conceded ten goals.
Another fact that gives us pause for thought is that Werder have picked up the bulk of their points away from their home fans: after the draw at home to Wolfsburg in the opener came the double away success against Borussia Dortmund (2-3) and Bochum (0-2). The opportunity to increase the spoils is the advance against an Augsburg in full crisis. The Bavarians collected their third defeat in a row (0-2) on Sunday, this time against a direct competitor such as Hertha Berlin. The only victory for Enrico Maassen’s team remains the one against Bayer Leverkusen on the second day. For the rest, only disappointments for a team that will probably have to fight until the end to ensure their stay in the Bundesliga.
Augsburg’s Jensen (right) against Leverkusen
The Prediction
Werder Bremen, led by striker Niclas Fullkrug (already five goals to his credit), have so far shown that they can wreak havoc in the opponent’s half of the pitch with some ease. It has never scored less than two goals and should repeat itself against a defence, that of Augsburg, which is far from impenetrable. A victory for the hosts is likely in a match with at least three goals in total.
The Werder Bremen-Augsburg likely line-up
- WERDER BREMA (3-5-2): Pavlenka; Pieper, Veljkovic, Friedl; Weiser, Schmid, Groß, Schmidt, Jung; Füllkrug, Ducksch.
- AUGSBURG (3-5-2): Gikiewicz; Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Gumny; Pedersen, Maier, Gruezo, Rexhbecaj, Iago; Demirovic, Berisha.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
