Werder vs Union Berlin
Werder Bremen will entertain third-placed Union Berlin at the Weserstadion in the Bundesliga on Wednesday.
The hosts have lost two games in a row and resumed their league campaign on Saturday with a 7-1 thumping at the hands of Koln. Niclas Fullkrug bagged the only goal of the game for Werder as Koln scored five goals in the first half itself.
Union Berlin returned to winning ways after four games in the league as they defeated Hoffenheim 3-1 at home on Saturday. They overturned a one-goal deficit from the first half as Danilho Doekhi bagged a second-half brace and Jamie Leweling added the third goal in injury time.
Werder Bremen vs Union Berlin Head-to-Head
The two teams have squared off just five times across all competitions with four meetings taking place in the Bundesliga and they met in the DFB Pokal once. All meetings have produced conclusive results, with three wins for the visitors and two games going Werder Bremen‘s way.
Three of the five meetings between the two teams have produced over 2.5 goals.
Union Berlin recorded a league double when they last met in the Bundesliga in the 2020-21 season, recording a 2-0 win at Wednesday’s venue in January 2021.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Union Berlin’s last six Bundesliga games while the hosts have seen over 2.5 goals in their last four league outings.
Union Berlin have scored at least two goals in their last three matches against Werder Bremen in all competitions.
Union Berlin have recorded 2-0 away wins in their two meetings against the hosts at Wednesday’s venue.
The hosts have the third-worst defensive record in the Bundesliga, conceding 34 goals while Berlin have the second-best defensive record, conceding 21 goals.
Fullkru offered the one moment of cheer for Werder by sinking a bullet header into the net as they went down 7-1 at Cologne on Saturday. Their first game of 2023 in Bremen offers a welcome chance for the promoted side to battle back.
Fullkrug goes into Matchday 17 with 11 goals to his name this season, just one short of the Bundesliga’s top scorer, Christopher Nkunku. Marvin Ducksch is expected to be Fullkrug’s attacking partner in crime once more after swinging in a corner that assisted the Germany international in Cologne. Coach Ole Werner might be tempted to shuffle his pack in the hope of getting his side back to winning ways – having lost three in a row in the league – but the 34-year-old has proven this season that he very much trusts his first-choice starting XI.
Union got their wonderful 2022/23 ride back on track with a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday that brought them into the top four again. Coach Urs Fischer will likely contemplate his line-up and system carefully, though, after ending 2022 with poor away form.
Danilho Doekhi has surely cemented his starting spot in central defence by starring at the other end of the field with two headed goals against Hoffenheim. Attacker Sven Michel scored Union’s sole goal in their last league away trip (a 4-1 loss at Freiburg) and could return to action in Bremen following a bout of flu. Croatian right-back Josip Juranovic could also be involved, likely from the bench, after joining from Celtic
Werder Bremen vs Union Berlin Prediction
The hosts have lost three games in a row, conceding 15 goals and scoring just three in that period. The 7-1 drubbing against Koln was their biggest defeat of the campaign and they are expected to struggle in this game as well.
Die Eisernen have suffered defeats in their last three away games in the Bundesliga, scoring just twice and conceding 11 goals in that period. Nonetheless, considering the recent history between the two teams, we are backing the visitors to eke out a win.
