Previous games have rarely been boring affairs. And this time the two teams are only six points apart. While Bayer 04 have recently started to challenge for a Champions League finish, the DFB Cup quarter finalists from the north are entitled to believe they can qualify for Europe again. The situation promises great excitement. Both teams are looking to be a good position for the run-in. Here are 04 facts on #B04SVW…
in the fast lane
This weekend sees the start of the Formula 1 season in Australia. In contrast, there are only nine games to play in the Bundesliga. And the Black and Reds have certainly looked good to very good in the league. And, indeed, they are in the fast lane. With 18 points and a goal difference of 20 to 8 from games since the winter break, Bayer 04 are the 'second-fastest' team going into matchday 26 behind Bayern (21 points; 26-9) and AHEAD of Eintracht Frankfurt (16; 16-7), RB Leipzig (15; 12-3) and Borussia Dortmund (15; 17:-0). And Werder Bremen? They are in sixth place (14; 15-8). Following a dip in form after a great start to the season that saw them reach the heady heights of third in the table, the Green and Whites recovered and are back on track after an impressive run since the winter break. In addition to Eintracht Frankfurt, the team coached by Florian Kohfeldt are the only other Bundesliga side to remain unbeaten in 2019. Hats off! Perhaps it is an advantage that the Werkself know how to end a Bremen run – that happened in the previous encounter this term with a 6-2 win for the Werkself ended a run of 16 home games unbeaten for Werder. Bayer 04 also know about not losing home fixtures – the last defeat at the BayArena was against Werder Bremen.
Stormy times
The Werkself have been preparing for the Werder match since Tuesday. And you could say under northern conditions – at least in terms of the weather: It was particularly northerly at the start of the week in the Rhineland: It was windy, it was wet and you can even say 'üsselig'. Üsselig? That is a Rhineland term for inclement and grey weather. And unfortunately there is no sign of improvement for the weekend. Rain and stormy weather are forecast for Sunday. Spring is due to come next week. Talking about stormy times. The Town Musicians of Bremen could sing a song about that. And they could sing about the Green and Whites Sports Club. The Kohfeldt team has impressed with some formidable finishing: Bremen are the only team in the Bundesliga to have scored in every match this term with Max Kruse, Milot Rashica (both 6 goals) and Maximilian Eggestein (5) leading the way amongst the goalscorers. The last time Werder failed to find the back of the net was on matchday 33 last season in a 0-0 draw with the Werkself. Over two seasons they have second in 26 successive matches. If Bremen score again on Sunday that will equal the current club record. From a Black and Red perspective, the Green and Whites are welcome to stop scoring...
give me five
This will be the 91st meeting between the Werkself and Werder Bremen – the Black and Reds have not played against any other club as often: 77 times in the Bundesliga, 7 times in the DFB Cup, 3 times in the League Cup, twice in the UEFA Cup and once in the DFB Super Cup. The records show 24 wins, 31 draws and 35 defeats for Bremen but the goals for and against are are more or less equal. After 90 games, Bremen have the upper hand with 149 goals for and 145 against (The Werkself are ahead in Bundesliga games with 122 for and 117 against). The total of 294 goals represents an average of 3.2 per game. And with the hunger for goals of both teams, it is hard to imagine there will a goalless draw in front of a sell-out crowd at the BayArena on Sunday. The last time that happened was ten years ago – in September 2009. 23 goals in the last eight games – 12 for the Werkself, who have won 04 matches (3 draws, one defeat). So the shout at the BayArena on Sunday will be 'Give me five!'
hunger for goals? We Have Voll(br)and(t)!
Talking about a hunger for goals. Werder's Milot Rashica, who played for Peter Bosz at Vitesse Arnhem from July 2015 to January 2016, has stood out since the winter break with five goals scored. Kevin Volland has shone for the Werkself in recent weeks. He netted a brace at Hannover, playing his part in the 3-2 win for the Werkself. On top of that. The top scorer for the Werkself (11 goals) has been involved in at least one goal in the last seven Bundesliga games for his team – a personal best.The 26-year-old, who is set to make his 100th appearance for the Werkself against Werder, has played a significant role in the Werkself scoring at least two goals in the last seven league games – and on Sunday it could be the first time the Werkself have scored two or more goals in eight games in succession sine September 2014. Julian Brandt has proved to be a great foil for the Werkself number 31 with three assist against Hannover. He has laid on seven of the 20 Werkself goals scored since the winter break and the best provider in the league in 2019. The Werkself number 10 tops the ranking of goals and assists in the second half of the season (3 goals, 7 assists) – ahead of Kevin Volland (5/4) and FC Bayern's Robert Lewandowski (7/2). Keep it up lads.
Match information:
Previous result: 6-2 (A) 6:2 (A)
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberaspach)
Weather forecast: 9 degrees, rain
Live TV broadcaster: Sky.
