Still without a win, Werder Bremen have the toughest task in German football ahead of them this weekend when they will travel to the Allianz Arena in Munich to play Bayern. Die Wernerander have yet to record a win this year, and sit bottom of the table with four points after seven matches. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Bayern are top, with five wins and two draws, and have given up just two goals.
Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen: Time, TV schedule and preview
Lennart Preiss
It was a tough international break for defending World Champions Germany, with an away defeat against Poland and a home draw against Ireland. A good few of these players play for Bayern, but don’t expect to see the poor form carry over to club level.
Xabi Alonso has been immense so far since joining in the summer. He will be looking to set up Robert Lewandowski, who has four goals so far this season. Franck Ribery could feature for the Bavarians as well, as he looks to be back after a long injury layoff.
A victory would go a long way for Robin Dutt's men, as it could send them ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who only have six points themselves so far. It may be too much to ask against Bayern, as Pep Guardiola's side has only allowed two goals in seven league matches so far.
Franco Di Santo might be the key man for Werder Bremen. He will be the focal point of the attack, and at 6’4” is capable of holding up play as well as being an aerial threat. Three of his four goals this season have come in matches ending in a draw.
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Bastian Schweinsteiger (tonsils, knee), Thiago Alcântara (knee), Pepe Reina (calf), Holger Badstuber (thigh), Javi Martinez (knee).
Werder Bremen injuries and suspensions
Out: Julian von Haacke (knee), Philipp Bargfrede (knee), Luca Zander (knee), Theodor Gebre Selassie (thigh).
Bayern's midfield continues to be devastated by knee injuries, and this week's news that Thiago will require another surgery is not what the club's fans will have wanted to hear. It means that players like Gianluca Gaudino and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg might see time against a struggling opponent. Bremen's injuries aren't as devastating, but not having Gebre Selassie at right back hurts.
Projected lineups
Bayern Munich: Manel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Rafinha, Mehdi Benatia, David Alaba, Dante, Arjen Robben, Xabi Alonso, Xherdan Shaqiri, Juan Bernat, Robert Lewandowski.
Werder Bremen: Raphael Wolf, Sebastian Prödl, Assani Lukimya, Santiago Garcia, Gálvez, Marnon Busch, Cedric Makiadi, Eljero Elia, Zlatko Junuzović, Fin Bartels, Franco Di Santo.
Match Date/Time: 3:30 p.m. local, 9:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
TV: GOLTV USA, MyGermanTV+ (U.S.), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), Sport1.FM, Sky Bundesliga 3/HD (Germany)
Online: GOLTV Online (U.S.) Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)
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