Werder Bremen’s return to top-flight football has surely surpassed expectations considering they currently find themselves sitting in the Bundesliga’s European spots, with their start of 15 points from their opening nine league matches being bettered only once in their previous nine Bundesliga appearances (17 points in 2018/19). Back-to-back wins has certainly helped propel Bremen up the table, with manager Ole Werner instilling a fearless nature which has seen them net 20 league goals already, bettered only by Bayern Munich’s 25.
Their attacking flair has come at a cost though, as the River Islanders have let the floodgates open at the other end, keeping just one clean sheet so far this season. Bremen’s all-or-nothing approach worked in their last home match though, walloping Borussia Mönchengladbach 5-1 to open their account at the Weserstadion after failing to win their opening three matches (D1, L2).
Despite seven places separating them in the standings prior to the weekend, Mainz only trail their hosts by three points in a heavily congested Bundesliga mid-table. A fine start to the campaign saw Mainz win three of their opening five league matches (D1, L1), but that early leg work has been undone somewhat with a recent four-game winless run (D2, L2), driven by conceding first in three of those four matches.
A trip to newly-promoted opposition would usually offer a chance for reprieve, but not in Mainz’s case, having lost their last four away league matches against promoted opponents. Perhaps a venture to Bremen in particular is what the 05ers need in search of a return to winning ways, as they’ve lost only twice in their last 11 visits (W6, D3).
Players to watch: Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug is the Bundesliga’s top-scorer with eight goals, and will undoubtedly be looking to add to his tally here after netting a hat-trick against Mainz previously. Mainz will hope Karim Onisiwo can break his goalscoring drought in this game, especially as his last eight goals have come away from home.
Hot stat: There’s been goals scored in both halves in 12 of Bremen’s last 16 matches.
