RB Leipzig will aim to strengthen their grip on the third spot, while Werder Bremen need one more victory to guarantee safety.
The Bundesliga title race may seem beyond the reach of RB Leipzig, who face Werder Bremen next, at the moment, as many have consigned themselves to think of this season as another missed opportunity. The team’s form earlier in the season mattered. But they can still have a say in the crowing of the eventual champions.
With 57 points on board, Leipzig are eight points off leaders Bayern Munich, who they have to face later. Mathematically, there is still a chance for Marco Rose’s side to crawl back into the race if they can win their games, while Bayern and Borussia Dortmund lose theirs. It seems unprecedented at this stage and unrealistic by any means.
3-1 ✅
2-0 ✅
3-2 ✅
3-0 ✅
2-0 ✅We've won all five of our five home games against Werder Bremen 💯 pic.twitter.com/D8BT2fLbqU
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) May 12, 2023
For Marco Rose, the aim is to consolidate their third-place position on the table, which, again, mathematically, is far from secured. Another win would take them closer to their objective. But any slip-up in the next three games could open the doors for Union Berlin or Freiburg to usurp their place.
Leipzig are set to host Werder Bremen, who are inches from achieving their objective of achieving safety from relegation. Ole Werner’s men had shown super form in the early part of the season, suppressing any concerns with their recent form.
With safety around the corner, Bremen would still need at least one more victory to guarantee that. Theoretically, VfB Stuttgart and VfL Bochum can still catch them, and there should be a few concerned with Bremen’s recent form. Werner’s men have only collected five points from their last nine matches, something he will look to improve upon.
Bremen have formed a reputation for playing entertaining football, and their scoring run in the last ten games certainly validates that. In the last matchday, they gave leaders Bayern a run for their money, but goals from Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane proved enough as a late Niklas Schmidt striker was only a mere consolation.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
Marco Rose will have a strong squad at his disposal, although there are a few niggling doubts about key players ahead of the Werder Bremen game. Xaver Schlager is nearing a return from an ankle problem and may take time to return to the setup.
When your work colleague only made a coffee for themselves 😶☕ pic.twitter.com/F7mRBCtrwy
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) May 11, 2023
Peter Gulaci remains out with an ACL injury, with Janis Blaswich set to continue between the sticks. The problems with the in-demand Josko Gvardiol and Konrad Laimer will attract the spotlight. The Croatian defender suffered a muscle problem last weekend and missed the clash altogether, while Laimer has a toe injury.
Both stars could go through an assessment before the game but are expected to make it. Rose will keep faith in his attacking setup, with Christopher Nkunku, Dani Olmo, and Dominik Szoboszlai lining up behind centre-forward Timo Werner.
Laimer will have Amadou Haidara for the company in central midfield, while Gvardiol will partner Willi Orban in central defence. In-demand right-back Mohamed Simakan will keep his place, while Marcel Halstenberg will start as left-back.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Blaswich; Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol, Halstenberg; Laimer, Haidara; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Olmo; Werner
Werder Bremen
Ole Werner will hope for positive news regarding Bundesliga top scorer Niclas Fullkrug ahead of the Leipzig game. The striker continues to struggle with a calf problem that saw him miss out against Bayern Munich in the last game.
Die Sonne scheint im wohninvest WESERSTADION und die Trainingseinheit beginnt.☀️#Werder pic.twitter.com/O12Uc6Hmfx
— SV Werder Bremen (@werderbremen) May 13, 2023
Marvin Ducksch and Romano Schmid started the last game as the front two, but substitute Niklas Schmidt has given Werner something to think about following his goal off the bench. The Werder Bremen boss will likely retain the pair and keep the latter as an option from the bench.
With regards to injuries, Dikeni-Rafid Salifou will miss the game with a foot injury, while Felix Agu will need an operation on his troublesome patella tendon injury. Meanwhile, Werner also lost Amos Pieper against Bayern, with the defender now needing an ankle operation that will see him miss the remainder of the campaign.
Milos Veljkovic replaced Pieper against Bayern and will probably do so for the remaining games this season. He will form part of the back three alongside Marco Friedl and Niklas Stark.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Pavlenka; Veljkovic, Friedl, Stark; Weiser, Bittencourt, Gross, Stage, Jung; Ducksch, Schmid
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig have won their last six home matches against Werder Bremen in all competitions.
- RB Leipzig have won six of their last seven games across all competitions.
- Werder Bremen have conceded at least two goals in their last nine Bundesliga matches.
- Werder Bremen have scored in each of their last ten Bundesliga matches.
- Werder Bremen have recorded only one victory in their last nine Bundesliga matches.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Simakan
Arsenal have sent their scouts to follow Mohamed Simakan multiple times, he’s appreciated — as @ed_aarons reports. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Nothing advanced or imminent at this stage but Simakan is one of the CBs monitored by Arsenal board. pic.twitter.com/Rch0BERESs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2023
He is not the most focused player in this attacking and exciting Leipzig side, but the versatile Simakan will have the spotlight on his head now. Amid recent links with Arsenal in the Premier League, the young defender will see his name plenty in the media, and his performances now will show his character.
Not the player one will put when describing the identity of this Leipzig side. But the defensive qualities of Simakan will prove crucial for the team. With still plenty to play for this season, the Frenchman will aim to perform strongly to consolidate his recent image as a top defender in the continent.
Prediction
RB Leipzig 2-1 Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen are certainly not a side one should underestimate, having shown plenty of quality and promise throughout this season. With their scoring run of 10 consecutive games, on the one hand, they have proved their mettle by virtually smartly securing their safety.
However, with three games left, they still have plenty to work on to achieve safety, but that may not happen against Leipzig. Marco Rose’s side are in a rich vein of form and under more pressure than Bremen heading into this matchup. While the visitors are expected to keep their scoring run going, the home side are favorites to snatch three points in this encounter.