Werder Bremen vs Holstein Kiel preview: Grün-Weißen look to improve home record

Werder Bremen will aim to return to winning form in the Bundesliga as they face Holstein Kiel at Weserstadion on Saturday afternoon.

Werder Bremen

Werder Bremen have had a mixed start to the season, sitting with 12 points after nine games, with a balanced record of three wins, three draws, and three losses. Recently, they showcased promising form by defeating Wolfsburg 4-2 and securing a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen. However, they struggled last week against Borussia Mönchengladbach, conceding three goals in the first half and finishing the match with ten men.

Returning to Weserstadion, Bremen will aim to improve their poor home record, where they have earned just two of their 12 points this season. This marks the first time since the 2017-18 season that they have gone winless in their opening four home games. Bremen have also yet to take the lead in any home match, scoring only twice, the second-lowest tally in the league.

Historically, Bremen have struggled against newly promoted teams. Last season, they failed to secure a single win against the two promoted sides, and they are now winless in their last five encounters with Bundesliga newcomers, with four losses and one draw.

Team News

Werder will be without two players due to suspension for their upcoming match against Holstein Kiel. Mitchell Weiser is ruled out following his red card against Borussia Mönchengladbach, while former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is also suspended. 

Additionally, Abdenego Nankishi is expected to sit out again after being excluded from the previous squad due to a knock, and he’ll join Leon Opitz (knock) and Marco Grüll (hamstring) on the injury list.

Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel finally secured their first-ever Bundesliga win last week, with Patrick Erras netting the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Heidenheim. Before this breakthrough, the Storks had struggled in their debut top-flight season, accumulating just two points from their first eight matches through 2-2 draws with Bochum in September and Bayer Leverkusen before the October international break.

A primary issue for Marcel Rapp’s team has been their porous defense, as they have conceded 23 goals in nine games, the second-worst record in the league, surpassed only by Bochum’s 29 goals allowed.

Though Werder Bremen enter as strong favorites, Kiel hold the upper hand historically in this matchup, having won both encounters between the two clubs during the 2021-22 season in the 2. Bundesliga.

Team News

Kiel face significant absences of their own, with five first-team players out. Colin Kleine-Bekel remains a long-term absentee following a serious cruciate ligament injury that will keep him sidelined for a substantial portion of the season. 

Carl Johansson, who picked up a knee injury during the DFB-Pokal loss to Köln, is not expected back until mid-December. Alexander Bernhardsson and Andu Kelati are both also out until after the upcoming international break.