Werder Bremen vs Bayer Leverkusen
Wohninvest Weserstadion, Bremen
Monday, 18-05-2020 @9pm
Ref: Manuel Grafe
Monday’s Bundesliga action sees a relegation threatened Bremen host Leverkusen.
Bremen have been woeful this season and sit second from bottom.
They have endured a season from hell so far, having collected a mere 18 points from their 24 games. Problems at both ends have paved the way for a struggle of a campaign, with the River Islanders scoring the joint-fewest goals while conceding the most strikes in the league till date.
For the visitors, they were one of the most in in-form sides before the league was halted and come into the contest as heavy favourites.
Bayer have been striving to reach the Champions League in back to bavk season, closely following Borussia Monchengladbach.
Now, RB Leipzig’s slip-up against SC Freiburg on Saturday gives them, who boast one of the meanest defensive units in the Bundesliga as well as a highly exciting attack, a chance to plug the gap to the top four further.
The reverse fixture, played in October last year at BayArena, ended in a 2-2 draw, as Lucas Alario scored a 58th minute strike to ensure a share of the spoils. Ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the Bundesliga encounter.
Kevin Volland who has scored nine times for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this term, but he is set to miss the rest of 2019-20 with an ankle injury. However, midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger has recovered from a knee problem and Daley Sinkgraven is also now fully fit. Kai Havertz is undoubtedly the star player in this side, explaining the repeated links away from the club, and he is almost certain to start in attacking midfield.
Bremen will be without key man Davy Klaassen for the first time this season, meanwhile, due to a suspension incurred a couple of months ago. Claudio Pizarro will play no part because of injury, while Niclas Fullkrug and Ludwig Augustinsson have also been ruled out.
Bundesliga match-day 26 results so far
Saturday, 16-05-2020
-Dortmund 4-0 Schalke O4
-Hoffenheim 0-3 Hertha Berlin
-Dusseldorf 0-0 Paderbon
-Augsburg 1-2 Wolfsburg
-RB Leipzig 1-1 Freiburg
-Frankfurt 1-3 Monchengladbach
Sunday, 17-05-2020
-Koln 2-2 Mainz
-Union Berlin 0-2 Bayern
