Record against Bremen
Overall: 114 games. 40 wins, 34 draws, 40 defeats. 172:191 goal difference.
In the Bundesliga: 110 games. 39 wins, 34 draws, 37 defeats. 170:185 goal difference.
Often high-scoring
There have been 355 goals in 110 Bundesliga meetings between the teams – an average of 3.23 per game.
The sides’ highest-scoring encounter took place in March 2008, when VfB beat Werder 6-3. There hasn’t been a goalless draw in this fixture since February 2006.
Reunited
Deniz Undav, who scored in both meetings with Bremen last season, played for Werder at youth level between 2007 and 2012.
Nick Woltemade, meanwhile, joined VfB from Bremen in the summer. He made his first Bundesliga start for the club in the 2-0 win over VfL Bochum last weekend and has registered three goals in all competitions so far.
Steeped in tradition
Werder and VfB face each other for the 111th time in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with Bremen racking up 37 wins and VfB triumphing on 39 occasions (34 draws). Only Bayern Munich and Werder (115 times) and Bayern and Borussia Mönchengladbach (112 times) have played each other more often in Germany’s top flight. The record champions also face Borussia Dortmund for the 111th time this weekend.
What the coaches say
VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß on Werder Bremen: “They’ve produced some very good performances. I think their patterns of play have become even clearer. Congratulations to Ole #Werner on his third anniversary. Their continuity is clear to see.”
Werder Bremen head coach Ole Werner: “There isn’t much to separate the teams in the table right now. VfB are a top side in terms of the way they play and their squad, something that isn’t altered by their most recent result in the Champions League or their position in the standings. We are preparing for an encounter with a tough opponent and want to produce a strong performance ourselves.”
Team news
“Daxo Zagadou is out. Luca Raimund and Jamie Leweling are set to start light training. El Bilal’s surgery went well and Deniz Undav is recovering. Ameen Al Dakhil is ill, as is Justin Diehl, who probably won’t be flying to Bremen.”
Bremen will be without injured quartet Keke Topp, Jens Stage, Isak Hansen-Aarøen and Felix Agu.
Attendance
VfB will be backed by at least 4,150 fans at the Weserstadion on Saturday.