With three Bundesliga games remaining, neither Werder Bremen nor Borussia Monchengladbach are assured of survival before gameweek 32's clash at Weserstadion.
Bremen are in a healthier position to beat the drop than their opponents, who continue to look over their shoulder heading into the campaign's final weeks.
Match preview
© Reuters
Bremen notching a second league win on the trot to beat Europe-chasing Augsburg in the previous gameweek was what the doctor ordered for the River Islanders, who are not entirely out of the woods in the survival battle.
That 3-0 win and Mainz 05's draw against second-bottom Koln mean nine points separate Ole Werner's men from the third-bottom side with three rounds to go.
Despite Bremen's negative goal difference (-9), Mainz's -17 means only a collapse by the River Islanders and the 05ers winning every game puts them in a precarious position.
Thus, all Die Werderaner need this weekend is a point to guarantee another season in the top division. A loss on Saturday will not be doom and gloom for the hosts (37 points), who could also be safe if Mainz (28) fail to beat Heidenheim (37) or there is a winner in the fixture between Union Berlin and Bochum (both on 30 points).
Having put themselves in a promising position by stunning high-flying Stuttgart (2-1) and beating Augsburg in gameweek 31, Werner hopes for more of the same on Saturday.
© Reuters
Gladbach stand in Bremen's way of confirming Bundesliga safety, but they remain in danger of relegation with four points separating them from 16th-placed Bochum.
Last weekend's goalless encounter with Union halted a two-match losing sequence in the Bundesliga, and Gerardo Seoane's men seek to avoid a 14th league reverse in 2023-24.
The Foals' nine-point lead over second-bottom Koln and a significantly healthier goal difference mean ending in the automatic relegation spots is unlikely, even if Seoane's side can still end third-bottom if results in the campaign's concluding rounds go awry.
While Gladbach hold a four-point advantage over Mainz, they are two clear of Union and Bochum and could slide in the standings if a winner emerges in the weekend's other six-pointer in Berlin.
Having their fate in their hands means securing a road victory will all but confirm safety. However, a club with three away triumphs since the start of 2023, and two wins on their travels this term face an uphill task at Bremen on Saturday.
Team News
© Reuters
Naby Keita is suspended by the club for the rest of 23-24 following the Guinea midfielder's tantrum, which saw him allegedly head home after discovering he was not starting against Bayer Leverkusen in round 29.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen and Justin Njinmah are doubtful because of illness, while Jiri Pavlenka's muscle issue makes the goalkeeper's participation this weekend uncertain.
However, Skelly Alvero (calf) and Amos Pieper (ankle) are not anticipated to play any part against Gladbach.
Seoane has a few personnel issues as well, with Jonas Omlin (thigh), Christoph Kramer (illness) and Maximilian Wober (thigh) all touch-and-go for Saturday. Grant-Leon Ranos (ankle) and Tony Jantschke (adductor) are not expected to feature due to injuries.
Robin Hack netted three times in Gladbach's last away game — a 4-3 loss at Hoffenheim — and scored in the 1-1 draw at Heidenheim in mid-March, possibly making the forward the away side's leading goalscoring threat this weekend.
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Veljkovic, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Stage, Lynen, Agu; Schmid, Ducksch, Woltemade
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Friedrich, Elvedi, Chiarodia; Lainer, Weigl, Itakura, Scally; Honorat, Plea, Hack
We say: Werder Bremen 1-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach losing seven of their 15 away games this season means you want to back Bremen to record a third straight Bundesliga victory.
However, the Foals have historically fared well against the hosts, losing just one of their last 14 top-flight meetings. While an away win might be a long shot, the spoils could be shared at Weserstadion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
