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VfL Wolfsburg vs. Werder Bremen
Some of the most interesting pairings in the Bundesliga we already experience on the first matchday of the season. On Saturday afternoon, we can expect the small northern derby between VfL Wolfsburg and one of the two Bundesliga returnees SV Werder Bremen. While the Wolves played a rather disappointing season, Bremen are in pure euphoria after their promotion. The squad has been strengthened in certain areas, and the start of the season was a success with the DFB Cup in Cottbus. Accordingly, Werder can start their first Bundesliga season after their return.
Wolfsburg also had a successful start to the season. Although the performance in the cup against Jena was unsatisfactory, the positive result was decisive in the end. A last-minute header qualified the Wolves for the second round. Nevertheless, the demands on new coach Niko Kovac are high. Find out how we rate the match between the two northern clubs in this Wolfsburg – Bremen tip.
Wolfsburg – Bremen info:
– Date & Time: 06.08.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: VW Arena, Wolfsburg
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 1
– TV broadcast: Sky Sport
Wolfsburg Form & Balance Check
After a very turbulent season, they had decided to change coaches in the summer. Niko Kovac was hired from AS Monaco and was able to prove his skills in the Bundesliga. He sensationally won the DFB Cup with Frankfurt and the double with Bayern. But things just didn’t work out at the record champions, which is why he was dismissed prematurely. With Wolfsburg, he now takes over a team that has incredibly good players in its squad, but also has to cope with one or two painful departures. Xaver Schlager, one of the best players in the squad, went to RB Leipzig. Long-time centre-back John-Anthony Brooks is also no longer part of the team.
How are the newcomers doing?
Because VfL have a large corporation behind them, they were able to become really active on the transfer market again. Many young players were signed for a total of 35 million euros. The king transfer is the Swede Mattias Svanberg. The 23-year-old was convincing in the preparation and is set on the six. All the other newcomers will presumably be introduced to the team slowly, but they have a lot of potential. Considering only the individual class of the squad, the Wolves should at least be playing in the Europa League.
Wolfsburg facts & analysis
– Won last three test matches and the cup match at Jena.
– Won the opening match last season
– Sixth most valuable squad in the league
Bremen form & balance check
There aren’t many who thought Bremen would make such a quick return to the Bundesliga. But due to the change of coach and the high individual quality for the 2. league, they were able to realise the promotion in the end. Now it’s a matter of establishing themselves in the Bundesliga. With the exception of Ömer Toprak, Bremen kept all their key players and strengthened the squad in individual positions and across the board. The tactical orientation will hardly differ from that in the lower division. However, the SVW will certainly have much less possession and will go into almost every game as an underdog.
Is the quality enough for the Bundesliga?
In our line-up we will go into more detail about Bremen’s personnel, but on Saturday we expect only one newcomer in the starting eleven. Otherwise, the same eleven as in the victory against Regensburg on the last matchday will start. On top of that, a Marvin Ducksch, who scored over 20 goals in the lower division, has yet to prove his ability in the Bundesliga. Leo Bittencourt, too, has had two weak years. Actually, the German with Brazilian roots played a strong preparation, but his performance against Cottbus caused hopes of a better Bittencourt to fade somewhat again. It is currently very difficult to predict what role Bremen will play in the end.
Bremen facts & analysis
– Haven’t won an opening game in the Bundesliga since 2013.
– Have scored in every competitive match since Ole Werner became coach
– The best team of the second half of the season in the 2. Bundesliga
Predicted line-up – last update on 4 August 2022
Niko Kovac is expected to start in a 3-4-3. On the six Arnold returns after his back problems, on the right Wimmer could replace the recently not convincing Waldschmidt. Kruse is probably not yet an option for the starting eleven after his injury.
We expect the Bremen team to be the same as in the cup against Cottbus. The only position that is not yet 100 per cent certain is that of left-back. It is quite possible that Anthony Jung will start instead of the young Lee Buchanan.
🗣️ Kovac: Kilian Fischer had calf problems today, so we had to take him out. He probably won’t be able to play at the weekend. Apart from Yannick Gerhardt, who still needs time, all the other players are healthy. VfLWolfsburg WOBSVW pic.twitter.com/42X4VWt5Yg
– VfL Wolfsburg (@VfL_Wolfsburg) August 4, 2022
Wolfsburg – Bremen direct comparison & Statistics
The direct comparison between the two in the Bundesliga could hardly be more balanced. Of 48 games in the top flight, Wolfsburg have won 20 and Bremen 19. Only nine times did they part with a draw.
– Werder have always scored in their last five guest matches in Wolfsburg
– Wolves have won only one of their last five home games against Bremen
– In nine of the last eleven direct duels, both have scored at least once
