Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen - prediction, team news, lineups

Bayer Leverkusen's quest to secure Champions League football continues on Saturday against visitors Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga at BayArena.

Die Schwarzroten are sixth with 29 points following their 1-0 loss against Hoffenheim on January 17, and they are four points from fourth-placed Stuttgart, while Bremen languish in 13th place with just 18 points.

Match preview

A defeat against third-placed Hoffenheim should not necessarily be seen as a disastrous result for Leverkusen, but in their six league games against the five teams above them, they have suffered five losses.

The hosts have also been beaten in their past three matches in all competitions, failing to score twice, whereas they had netted at least two goals in each of their prior three fixtures.

Boss Kasper Hjulmand will hope for defensive improvement considering his side have averaged two goals conceded in their last five Bundesliga contests.

Die Schwarzroten have played a game in hand on fourth-placed Stuttgart, but having lost four of their six most recent clashes in the top flight, it would be understandable if fans were concerned about the club's ability to qualify for the Champions League.

Leverkusen's form at home has been poor, with the team having been defeated in two of their past four at BayArena, winning on just one occasion.

Werder Bremen held Eintracht Frankfurt to a 3-3 stalemate on January 16, but while they came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to lead 3-2 when Jovan Milosevic netted in the 80th minute, they conceded an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Bremen also played out a six-goal draw with Leverkusen in August 2025, and should they avoid defeat on Saturday, they will extend their unbeaten streak against their hosts to four games, while a win would be their second in four clashes.

The Green-Whites are five points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot, but they have only collected three points from the last 21 available.

Head coach Horst Steffen has experienced two draws and a loss in his last three in charge, and his team have failed to score in three of their past four league matches, while they have also conceded at least three goals in four of their five most recent outings.

If Bremen fail to take three points on Saturday, it will be their eighth consecutive away fixture without victory, and a loss would be their fifth defeat in eight games on the road.

Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga form:

Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions):

Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:

Team News

Leverkusen have been severely weakened by injuries in defence, with goalkeeper Mark Flekken and centre-back Edmond Tapsoba both ruled out.

Jarell Quansah, Robert Andrich and Loic Bade may be positioned ahead of shot-stopper Janis Blaswich on Saturday.

With midfielder Exequiel Palacios unavailable because of a groin issue, expect Ibrahim Maza and Aleix Garcia to feature.

Werder Bremen centre-back Niklas Stark is dealing with a hip problem, while Maximilian Wober is also sidelined, and their absences could lead to the inclusion of Amos Pieper, Marco Friedl and Karim Coulibaly in the backline.

Justin Njinmah and Marco Grull may start together up front given striker Victor Boniface is set to miss out for a significant period due to a knee injury.

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:

Blaswich; Andrich, Bade, Quansah; Hofmann, Maza, Garcia, Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Backhaus; Pieper, Friedl, Coulibaly; Sugawara, Schmid, Lynen, Stage, Schmidt; Njinmah, Grull

We say: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Werder Bremen

Saturday's clash is likely to be closely fought given both teams have performed poorly for some time.

Leverkusen may be missing key defensive stars, but Bremen are light in the forward line, and the hosts should be expected to come away with three points.

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