Opponent analysis: RB Leipzig vs. SV Werder Bremen on 14th May 2023

The penultimate home game of the season is up next! This Sunday (17:30 CEST), RB Leipzig play host to SV Werder Bremen at the Red Bull Arena in the final game of matchday 32.

RBL would take another important step in the race for Champions League qualification with a win against SVW. Qualification for the Champions League is once again in RBL’s hands going in the final games of the season after last weekend’s results. There are still nine points to play for and Marco Rose’s side want to pick up all of these if possible!

Newly-promoted Werder have had a very solid season so far and are currently seven points clear of 16th place. The Bundesliga’s 12th-placed side asked a lot of RBL in the previous game this season, even if Leipzig eventually came away with all three points following a narrow 2-1 win.

However, RBL are currently on a six game winning run against Werder in competitive games and have won nine of the last twelve games. We take a look at our next opponent’s strengths.

Silva and Schlager score to help RBL to a win in the last Bundesliga game of 2022

RBL Leipzig win 2-1 away at SV Werder Bremen

Form

Ole Werner’s side have already picked up 35 points and could be mathematically safe already in the middle of May with a win against RBL. As a result, SVW should be pleased in their first season in the Bundesliga following promotion. Over the course of the season they have had variable form, with strong periods followed by large dips in form.

Their form since the beginning of March has been anything but good. The team has only picked up one win in their last nine games, with six defeats. The Green-Whites recently lost 2-1 in a close home game against Bayern Munich

Facts

SV Werder Bremen …

… are vulnerable defensively and have already conceded 60 goals. Only Bochum (69) and Hertha BSC Berlin (62) have conceded more.
… are very efficient in attack. Niclas Füllkrug and his teammates have only had 331 shots, the least in the league. However, they have scored 49 goals from these, a good amount!
… are among the best team in the air. They have won 753 aerial duels up until now, which is among the sixth-most in the league.

Team news

Key players

Anthony Jung:
A well-known face in Leipzig and an absolute integral part of the way Werder play. RBL promotion-hero Anthony Jung plies his trade down the left-hand side of defence and has played in all 31 Bundesliga games so far this season.
The left-footer is strong in the tackle and delivers dangerous crosses. The 31-year-old has also scored twicehimself alongside five further assists
Mitchell Weiser:
Jung’s counterpart on the right-hand side is Mitchell Weiser. The wing-back has a lot of technical quality, is dynamic and has a good eye for a teammate in a better position. Weiser has already picked up nine assists, the fourth most in the league.
From time to time the 29-year-old takes too many risks when dribbling which presents an opportunity to turn the ball over.
Marvin Ducksch:
Like Jung, Marvin Ducksch has played in all 31 league games so far this season. The attacker is extremely strong on the ball and enjoys getting on the ball around the penalty area. The Dortmund-born striker also works very hard to support the team with runs off the ball and in behind.
It’s clear that Ducksch knows where the goal is. He has already scored twelve goals, as well as picking up five assists.
Niclas Füllkrug:
One of the stand-out players this season is without a doubt Niclas Füllkrug. The Bremen striker is the Bundesliga’s top-scorer this season with 16 goals. The Germany international, one of the only players to come away from the World Cup in Qatar with his stocks increased, is good with both feet and strong in the air.
Füllkrug is also very good technically for someone of his size, and is a real goal scoring presence in the box.

Unavailable players

Niclas Füllkrug:
It is still unclear if Füllkrug will be able to play against RBL. The striker has missed the last four games with calf problems. If possible, he will return to the squad to face Leipzig on Sunday.
This will be decided on in the coming days.
Felix Agu:
Felix Agu has been unavailable since the start of November. The season is over for the 23-year-old defender due to a patella tendon injury.

The latest RBL injury news can be found in our team news update.

RBL Squad Update

Head coach

Ole Werner, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, has been head coach for the Green-Whites since November 2021. It has been a success story up to now for him, having led Werder from 10th place in the 2. Ligato automatic promotion back into the Bundesliga.

Before that, the 35-year-old had been working successfully at his hometown club Holstein Kiel since 2014. In 2019, he became head coach of the Storks in the 2. Liga and managed to keep them in the league. He usually opts for a 3-1-4-2 formation.

RBL’s record vs. SV Werder Bremen

Head-to-head:

9 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses– 26:11 goal
5 home wins, 4 away wins
Top goal scorers: : Marcel Sabitzer, Naby Keita (3 each)
Biggest win: 4-1 on 10th April 2021 (Goals: Dani Olmo, Alexander Sørloth 2x, Marcel Sabitzer)

Last five meetings:

12th November 2022 | Bundesliga, Matchday 15: Werder Bremen – RB Leipzig | 1-2
30th April 2021 | DFB-Pokal, semi-final: Werder Bremen – RB Leipzig | 1-2 a.e.t
10th April 2021 | Bundesliga, Matchday 28: Werder Bremen – RB Leipzig | 1-4
12th December 2020 | Bundesliga, Matchday 11: RB Leipzig – Werder Bremen | 2-0
15th February 2020 | Bundesliga, Matchday 22: RB Leipzig – Werder Bremen | 3-0