Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen must win against Werder Bremen on Saturday at BayArena if they have any ambition of retaining their title.
The hosts have 53 points and trail league-leaders Bayern Munich by one place and eight points despite beating Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 on March 1, while the visitors were beaten 2-1 by Wolfsburg on the same date and are in 12th place with 30 points.
Match preview
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Leverkusen were deserving winners against Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring three times between the 26th and 33rd minutes and producing 14 shots from inside the penalty area, while also limiting the Eagles to just one big chance.
Manager Xabi Alonso will have been delighted with his side's goalscoring prowess in that clash considering they had scored just twice and failed to find the back of the net two times in their previous three Bundesliga matches.
However, Die Schwarzroten were masters of their own downfall in their Champions League round of 16 clash against Bayern when they lost 3-0 on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Matej Kovar making a serious error for the Bavarians' second and Nordi Mukiele receiving a red card when his team were trailing 2-0.
Leverkusen's slim hopes of retaining their crown appear to be fading given there are only 10 games left in the league season, as well as the fact Bayern have only lost once this term in the top flight.
The defeat in the Champions League was their first in any competition in nine games – winning five – and they are unbeaten in 22 Bundesliga matches, achieving victory on 14 occasions.
The hosts' record at home is phenomenal considering they are undefeated in their last 17 fixtures at BayArena while only failing to win three times.
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As for Werder Bremen, they created nearly two xG compared to Wolfsburg's 0.92 xG, and their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal cost them considering they missed all three of their big chances.
Boss Ole Werner has come under pressure for his side's performances of late given his team have been beaten in each of their last five games.
The Green-Whites' defensive frailty has been concerning, with the club conceding 26 goals in their past 10 outings, including 15 in their past five.
However, it should be noted that Werder Bremen managed to draw 2-2 with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on October 26, though they have drawn five and lost four of their nine most recent clashes with the champions.
The visitors have also been beaten in their last three away matches and failed to win their prior two on the road.
Team News
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Leverkusen defender Jeanuel Belocian is not scheduled to return until next season due to a cruciate ligament injury, and his absence will likely mean Mukiele, Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie will feature in a back three.
There are question marks about the availability of midfielder Robert Andrich, and it would not be surprising if Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios partnered each other in a double pivot.
Nathan Tella, Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface could start up front given Martin Terrier has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Opponents Werder Bremen will be unable to call upon defenders Marco Friedl and Niklas Stark, so expect Milos Veljkovic, Julian Malatini and Anthony Jung to play in a back three.
Considering striker Marvin Ducksch will not be in the starting XI, the visitors are certain to select Andre Silva up front.
In midfield, there is no reason to suggest that regulars Senne Lynen and Jens Stage will not be stationed together in the middle of the pitch.
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Kovar; Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz; Boniface
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Veljkovic, Malatini, Jung; Weiser, Lynen, Stage, Agu; Schmid, Burke; Silva
We say: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Werder Bremen
Leverkusen's record at home is excellent, and it is difficult to see Werder Bremen posing much of a challenge given their poor form.
The visitors have also struggled defensively, and the hosts could take advantage of the Green-Whites' vulnerability on Saturday.
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Lewis Nolan
