Bayer Leverkusen vs. Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | Pre Match
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Werder Bremen
Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning Bundesliga champions, face a pivotal moment in their title defense as they prepare to host Werder Bremen at the BayArena on Saturday, March 8, 2025. With 53 points to their name, Leverkusen sit in second place, eight points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich, despite a commanding 4-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on March 1. That result showcased their attacking potency, as they struck three times between the 26th and 33rd minutes, amassing 14 shots from inside the penalty area while restricting Frankfurt to a solitary big chance. However, their aspirations of retaining the Bundesliga crown are under severe threat, with only 10 games remaining in the season and Bayern Munich having lost just once in the top flight. Meanwhile, Werder Bremen arrive in Leverkusen licking their wounds after a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg on the same day Leverkusen triumphed, a result that leaves them languishing in 12th place with 30 points. The contrast between the two sides could not be starker: Leverkusen are unbeaten in 22 Bundesliga matches, winning 14, while Bremen have stumbled to five consecutive losses, their defensive frailties laid bare. For Xabi Alonso’s men, this clash is a must-win if they are to keep their faint title hopes alive, while Bremen face the daunting task of halting their slide against one of Germany’s most formidable outfits.
Leverkusen’s performance against Eintracht Frankfurt was a welcome return to form for a side that had struggled for goals in the preceding weeks, managing just two strikes and blanking twice in their prior three Bundesliga outings. Alonso would have been particularly pleased with the clinical edge his team displayed, a stark contrast to their midweek Champions League debacle against Bayern Munich. On Wednesday, Leverkusen suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat in the round of 16, a match that exposed self-inflicted wounds rather than Bayern’s brilliance. Goalkeeper Matej Kovar’s glaring error gifted Bayern their second goal, while Nordi Mukiele’s red card—received when the score was already 2-0—effectively ended any hope of a comeback. This loss snapped Leverkusen’s nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, during which they had won five, and highlighted vulnerabilities that Bayern exploited with ruthless efficiency. Despite this setback, Leverkusen’s domestic form remains exceptional, particularly at home, where they are undefeated in their last 17 fixtures at the BayArena, winning 14 and drawing three. This imperious home record—coupled with Bayern’s near-flawless campaign—means Leverkusen can ill afford any slip-ups if they are to close the eight-point gap. The Frankfurt win offered a glimpse of their championship pedigree, but consistency will be key against a Bremen side desperate to turn their fortunes around.
Werder Bremen’s season has taken a nosedive in recent weeks, with their 2-1 loss to Wolfsburg emblematic of broader struggles under manager Ole Werner. In that match, Bremen generated nearly two expected goals (xG) compared to Wolfsburg’s 0.92, yet their profligacy in front of goal proved costly as they squandered all three of their big chances. This lack of ruthlessness has become a recurring theme, contributing to a dismal run of five straight defeats across all competitions. Werner’s position has come under increasing scrutiny as Bremen’s defensive frailties have been mercilessly exposed, conceding 26 goals in their last 10 outings—including a staggering 15 in their past five. This porous backline stands in stark contrast to Leverkusen’s attacking firepower, which has seen them score prolifically at home throughout the season. However, Bremen can draw some solace from their earlier encounter with Leverkusen on October 26, when they fought back to secure a 2-2 draw in the Bundesliga. That result, one of only four times Leverkusen have dropped points in the league, underscores Bremen’s potential to frustrate the champions, even if their recent form—five draws and four losses in their last nine meetings with Leverkusen—suggests an uphill battle. On the road, Bremen’s woes are even more pronounced, with three consecutive away defeats and no wins in their prior two, making their trip to the BayArena a formidable challenge.
Leverkusen’s title defense hangs by a thread, with Bayern’s solitary league loss this term casting a long shadow over Alonso’s ambitions. The Champions League defeat was a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar campaign, but it served as a reminder of the fine margins at play in their pursuit of silverware. At the BayArena, Leverkusen have been virtually untouchable, their unbeaten streak a testament to Alonso’s tactical nous and the squad’s depth. The Frankfurt rout demonstrated their ability to overwhelm opponents when firing on all cylinders, with 14 penalty-area shots reflecting an attacking intent that Bremen’s shaky defense will struggle to contain. Conversely, Bremen’s inability to convert chances—evident in the Wolfsburg match—coupled with their defensive collapse, paints a grim picture. Werner’s side have conceded at an alarming rate, and facing a Leverkusen team smarting from their midweek loss could exacerbate their woes. The October draw offers a glimmer of hope, but replicating that resilience will require a marked improvement in both finishing and defensive solidity—areas where Bremen have consistently fallen short. For Leverkusen, the focus will be on maintaining their home dominance and capitalizing on Bremen’s vulnerabilities to keep the pressure on Bayern, while Bremen must summon a Herculean effort to avoid being overrun.
Injury concerns will play a significant role in shaping both teams’ lineups, with Leverkusen grappling with the long-term absence of defender Jeanuel Belocian, sidelined until next season with a cruciate ligament injury. His absence is likely to see Nordi Mukiele, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie form a back three, tasked with neutralizing Bremen’s limited attacking threat. Midfielder Robert Andrich’s availability remains uncertain, potentially paving the way for Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios to anchor the midfield in a double pivot, bringing experience and control to the engine room. Up front, the loss of Martin Terrier for the remainder of the campaign opens the door for Nathan Tella, Florian Wirtz, and Victor Boniface to lead the line, a trio capable of exploiting Bremen’s leaky defense. Werder Bremen, meanwhile, are without defenders Marco Friedl and Niklas Stark, meaning Milos Veljkovic, Julian Malatini, and Anthony Jung are expected to comprise a back three that will need to be at its resolute best. With striker Marvin Ducksch ruled out, Andre Silva is certain to spearhead the attack, bearing the burden of ending Bremen’s scoring woes. In midfield, Senne Lynen and Jens Stage are likely to retain their places, offering stability in a unit that must disrupt Leverkusen’s rhythm to stand any chance of an upset.
In conclusion, Bayer Leverkusen’s clash with Werder Bremen is a defining moment in their Bundesliga title defense. A victory is non-negotiable if they are to keep pace with Bayern Munich, and their unbeaten home record at the BayArena provides a strong foundation for success. The Frankfurt win showcased their attacking brilliance, while the Champions League loss highlighted areas for improvement—both of which Alonso will look to address against a faltering Bremen side. For Werder Bremen, the task is monumental: five consecutive losses, a porous defense, and a blunt attack leave them ill-equipped to challenge Leverkusen’s supremacy. The October draw offers a faint blueprint for resistance, but their current form—particularly on the road—suggests a repeat is unlikely. With key absences on both sides, Leverkusen’s depth and quality should prevail, potentially widening the gap between them and their struggling visitors. For Alonso, it’s a chance to reignite their title charge; for Werner, it’s a desperate bid to arrest a alarming slide.
