Preview: Arminia Bielefeld vs Werder Bremen - prediction, team news, lineups

Defeated DFB-Pokal finalists Arminia Bielefeld will face visitors Werder Bremen at SchucoArena on Friday in the first round of the cup competition in 2025-26.

The hosts were beaten 4-2 in the final of the DFB-Pokal in May by Stuttgart, and en route to the final they emerged as 2-1 winners against Werder Bremen in February in the tournament's quarter-final.

Match preview

Arminia Bielefeld have begun their 2. Bundesliga season in strong fashion, winning their first two league games, including 2-0 against Holstein Kiel on August 10.

Manager Michel Kniat will be delighted by his side's showings so far considering they have scored seven times and conceded just once in the second tier, the best and joint second-best records respectively.

In last season's edition of the DFB-Pokal, Die Blauen defeated four Bundesliga clubs, with the likes of Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen succumbing to Friday's hosts.

Kniat's team had lost their four encounters against Werder Bremen prior to their win in 2024-25, though two of those games were friendly clashes.

Arminia have triumphed in nine of their past 11 competitive home matches, drawing on two occasions.

Werder Bremen are yet to begin their top-flight season, but they will be hoping for another campaign of progress given their eighth-placed finish with 51 points in 2024-25 bettered their ninth-placed finish with 42 points that they managed in 2023-24.

Ole Werner was in charge of the club last term, but he was appointed as RB Leipzig boss in June, with Horst Steffen chosen to take over.

The Green-Whites have been knocked out of the first round of the DFB-Pokal twice in the past four seasons, though they twice reached the semi-final stage in the prior four campaigns.

Steffan will hope that his side's recent displays in pre-season are not repeated given his team are winless in their five most recent friendlies, losing each of their past four while failing to score four times.

Werder Bremen proved excellent away from home at the end of 2024-25, achieving four victories and settling for one draw in their final five competitive games on the road, finding the back of the net 13 times.

Arminia Bielefeld form (all competitions):

Werder Bremen friendly form:

Team News

Given that Arminia found success in the DFB-Pokal last term, they may field a strong lineup, with striker Joel Grodowski expected to feature alongside wingers Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee and Sam Schreck.

Defensive midfielder Stefano Russo is likely to be tasked with protecting a back four consisting of Christopher Lannert, Leon Schneider, Maximilian Grosser and Tim Handwerker.

Werder Bremen's league season does not start until the August 23, so they can afford to start key players such as centre-backs Marco Friedl, Amos Pieper and Niklas Stark.

Steffen could deploy a double pivot of Senne Lynen and Skelly Alvero, especially as Jens Stage is injured.

Centre-forward Keke Topp is certain to make an appearance, and he may be supported by Leon Opitz and Isak Hansen Aaroen.

Arminia Bielefeld possible starting lineup:

Kersken; Lannert, Schneider, Grosser, Handwerker; Mehlem, Russo, Corboz; Schreck, Grodowski, Bazee

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Backhaus; Stark, Friedl, Pieper; Malatini, Lynen, Alvero, Deman; Aaroen, Opitz; Topp