Werder Bremen vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Bundesliga 2025-26

The River Islanders will take on the Black and Reds on matchday two in the Bundesliga

Werder Bremen will not be happy at all with their start to this season, as they lost the DFB Pokal match against a second Division side, and got trashed against Eintracht Frankfurt in the first league game of the season. Ole Werner, who was in charge of the club in 2024-25, left the club to join RB Leipzig, and Horst Steffen is the new head coach.

Bremen’s pre-season performance was also not good enough, and they are missing several players due to injuries. Despite playing at home, they will have to make sure they are at their best, as Leverkusen will not be an easy team to beat. Currently, Bremen will hope to break their losing streak and get their first three points of the season.

On the other hand, Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen surprisingly lost to Hoffenheim by 1-2 in the first league game of the season. They have lost several quality players in the summer transfer window, and still, some players may leave them before the window closes. Fans are not happy with how their management has not brought in some good replacements, and this season, things can go wrong in the Bundesliga. Despite all challenges, the Dutch head coach is very much capable of getting his team good results on the pitch.

Kick-off:

• Location: Bremen, Germany
• Stadium: Weser Stadium
• Date: Saturday, 30 August
• Kick-Off Time: 07:00 PM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form

Werder Bremen (in all competitions): L-L-L-L-L

Bayer Leverkusen (in all competitions): L-W-L-W-W

Players to Watch

Samuel Mbangula (Werder Bremen)

One of Mbangula’s greatest strengths is tactical flexibility; he is quite comfortable playing anywhere across the front line. His ability to seamlessly transition between a central striker role and a wider attacking position has made him a versatile weapon in Bremen’s attacking system.

His ability to hold up the ball, link play with midfielders, and make incisive runs behind the defence has added a new dimension to Bremen’s attack. Mbangula will surely be a big threat to Erik ten Hag’s team in this upcoming fixture.

Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen)

A few years back, he used to play in the third division of German football, and now, for the last few seasons, he has been a key part of Leverkusen’s success. Even though he didn’t play a lot under Xabi Alonso’s management, he still made sure that his impact helped his team, whether on and off the pitch.

Physically, he is a player who can bully opposition players. Even though he is not very good with the ball at his feet, he makes sure his defensive contributions somehow help the team.

Match Facts

• Last season, Leverkusen won one match against Bremen and another one ended in draws.
• Leverkusen tends to score 1.63 goals per game, and Bremen scores 1.41 goals per game
• Both teams lost their first league game of this season

Werder Bremen vs Bayer Leverkusen: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – This fixture to end in a stalemate – 3/1 by UNIBET
• Tip 2 – Both teams to score
• Tip 3 – Goals scored under 2.5

Injury and Team News

Jens Stage, Mitchell Weiser, Oliver Deman, Amos Pieper, Maximillian Wober and Niklas Stark are all injured for the home side; the rest of the squad is fully fit to play against Leverkusen on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag will have a fully fit squad for the upcoming fixture, and none of the players are suspended for the match.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 41

Werder Bremen: 13

Bayer Leverkusen: 13

Draws: 15

Predicted Lineups

Werder Bremen Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Nagata (GK); Malatini, Stark, Friedl, Agu; Bittencourt, Lynen; Njinmah, Schmid, Mbangula; Grull

Bayer Leverkusen Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):

Flekken (GK); Quansah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Arthur, Garcia, Andrich, Grimaldo; Maza, Tella; Schick

Match Prediction

Neither team will be happy with how they have started the new season, and will be hungry to bounce back in the upcoming fixture. Both teams have their own challenges on and off the pitch, but surely fans can expect it to be an exciting match. Most probably, this fixture will end in a stalemate.

Prediction: Werder Bremen 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Telecast Details

India: Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network

UK: Sky Sports, BBC, Amazon 

USA: ESPN+

Nigeria: StarTimes, Canal+

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