European hopefuls Werder Bremen will welcome relegation-threatened Hoffenheim to Weserstadion on Sunday in their 22nd Bundesliga game of the season.
The Green-Whites' 3-0 defeat against Bayern Munich on February 7 means they come into Sunday's clash in 10th place with 30 points, while Hoffenheim are fourth last in 15th place with 18 points and were trounced 4-0 by Union Berlin on February 8.
Match preview
© Imago
Werder Bremen were dominated by Bayern, producing just two shots totalling 0.13 xG while facing six big chances and over four xG.
Despite the defeat, the hosts are just seven points from fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the Bundesliga's final qualification spot for the Champions League but have played a game more than Werder Bremen.
Boss Ole Werner has been suspended for one game following his dismissal against Mainz 05 on January 31, so assistant manager Patrick Kohlmann is set to lead the home side out.
The Green-Whites will have to improve upon their recent showings if they are to achieve victory on Sunday given they have lost three, drawn two and won just one of their last six matches.
However, Werner may hold confidence in his team's ability to earn a positive result considering they boast a good home record, with the club emerging triumphant in four, drawing three and succumbing to defeat in one of their past eight at Weserstadion.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim faced six big chances, nearly three xG and 17 shots from inside the penalty area against Union Berlin.
Head coach Christian Ilzer's side are one place and four points above Heidenheim, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot, and five points above 17th-placed Holstein Kiel.
The visitors will hope to avoid a repeat of their September 29 clash against Werder Bremen in the league given they conceded four times between the 21st and 49th minutes, throwing away the three-goal lead they had built after 12 minutes and eventually losing 4-3.
Die Kraichgauer come into Sunday's game having lost two consecutive matches, with the team losing six and drawing three of their 10 most recent Bundesliga outings.
To his credit, Ilzer has overseen two victories in his last three away fixtures, but the team failed to win any of their prior 12 games on the road, losing seven and being held to a stalemate five times in that period.
Team News
© Imago
Werder Bremen will be unable to select midfielder Jens Stage and Senne Lynen, so perhaps Romano Schmid and Leonardo Bittencourt will feature in a double pivot.
Centre-backs Julian Malatini and Marco Friedl have also been ruled out, while Felix Agu is a doubt due to illness, and their absences may mean Milos Veljkovic, Niklas Stark and Anthony Jung will start in a back three.
Striker Andre Silva, who is on loan from RB Leipzig, is likely to play up front due to Keke Topp's injury.
Hoffenheim's injury crisis remains severe, with defenders Christopher Lenz, Ozan Kabak and Valentin Gendrey, as well as goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, not available for selection.
Centre-backs Arthur Chaves and Leo Ostigard could start in defence behind a double pivot of Dennis Geiger and Tom Bischof, though midfielders Anton Stach, Diadie Samassekou, Grischa Promel and Umut Tohumcu are not expected to be in the XI.
Erencan Yardimci, Max Moerstedt, Andrej Kramaric and Marius Bulter could start in attack given Adam Hlozek, Haris Tabakovic and Ihlas Bebou are also likely to miss out.
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Veljkovic, Stark, Jung; Weiser, Bittencourt, Schmid, Kabore; Ducksch, Grull; Silva
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Philipp; Kaderabek, Chaves, Ostigard, Jurasek; Geiger, Bischof; Yardimci, Kramaric, Bulter; Moerstedt
We say: Werder Bremen 2-1 Hoffenheim
Both sides have struggled for results of late, and it would not be surprising if Sunday's clash was a close affair.
Werder Bremen should be seen as slight favourites considering they have been stronger at home, but the match may be decided by a margin of one goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
