Eintracht Frankfurt – Werder Bremen
Lothar Matthäus sees Eintracht Frankfurt as a contender for second or third place in the Champions League, and it is precisely this team that will host Werder Bremen at Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for the Bundesliga opener. The omens could hardly be more different: While Frankfurt are brimming with confidence after their commanding 5-0 cup win against Engers, with new signing Ritsu Doan already showing his class with two goals, Werder are still reeling from their bitter cup exit in Bielefeld. The 0-1 defeat against third-division side Arminia extended Bremen’s inglorious record as the Bundesliga club with the most first-round defeats in the DFB Cup.
The direct encounters in recent years suggest that the two sides are evenly matched, but Bremen won the last meeting in April 2-0 away from home. The situation is particularly interesting with regard to Michael Zetterer, who is about to leave Werder after ten years to join Frankfurt, where he is set to replace Kevin Trapp. While Frankfurt are fielding a well-established squad despite a few departures, Bremen are still struggling with significant gaps in their squad and the absence of key players such as Jens Stage.
Frankfurt – Werder info
- Venue: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt am Main
- Date and time: 23.08.2025, 15:30
- Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 1)
Frankfurt Form & Record Check
Eintracht Frankfurt is entering the new season with considerable confidence. The 5-0 victory in the DFB Cup was more than just a routine win against lower-division side FV Engers. Across all competitions, Eintracht are in dazzling form in front of goal, scoring in each of their last four games, with the notable feature being that they have consistently taken the lead in the first half. This early start mentality could prove to be an important factor in their success.
However, their league record at the end of the season was somewhat mixed, with two draws against Mainz and St. Pauli. One could argue that the team still lacks that killer instinct in crucial moments. The defensive uncertainties that were evident in the three goals conceded in the last Bundesliga appearances have not yet been completely resolved.
Dino Toppmöller also has to juggle important personnel issues. Mario Götze’s fitness is a mystery after the World Cup winner surprisingly did not travel to the cup game. With Trapp’s departure to Paris and Zetterer’s signing, a complete goalkeeping change is on the cards. Can Uzun, on the other hand, seems to have made the leap into the starting eleven and is expected to start against Bremen.
Eintracht are expected to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. The inclusion of Can Uzun is particularly exciting, as he could get his first chance in the starting line-up after impressing in the cup game. Ritsu Doan, who scored twice in the 5-0 win against Engers, is also likely to start.
The absence of Ellyes Skhiri, who is out with knee problems, will be problematic. Hugo Larsson could take over this important position in defensive midfield. Michael Zetterer is on the verge of making his Bundesliga debut for Frankfurt following his move from Bremen and will replace Kevin Trapp between the posts.
Mario Götze is unlikely to be in the starting line-up as Toppmöller wants to ease him back into competitive action. Kauã Santos also remains sidelined through injury. The line-up has not yet been officially confirmed, of course, but there are many indications that this will be the formation.
Werder form & record check
Werder Bremen are facing their first Bundesliga matchday with mixed feelings after their sobering cup exit against Arminia Bielefeld. The personnel situation is causing considerable concern: with Maximilian Wöber, Amos Pieper, Olivier Deman, Mitchell Weiser and the important Jens Stage, five players with a total market value of over €33 million are missing. The absence of Stage in midfield and the injuries in defense are particularly noticeable.
Interestingly, Werder has been defensively stable in recent games, conceding no goals in the first half in their last two matches. Nevertheless, they lack punch up front. The 0-0 draw against Leipzig at the end of the season and the clear 4-1 win in Heidenheim illustrate the fluctuations in performance.
Leonardo Bittencourt’s sending-off in Bielefeld raises additional questions about discipline. As the red card was issued in the DFB Cup, he is available for the Frankfurt game, but his form remains questionable. Sporting director Clemens Fritz is resisting hasty transfers, but time is running out. Without further reinforcements, it could be difficult for Horst Steffen to implement his tactical ideas.
At Werder Bremen, coach Horst Steffen is likely to stick with his usual 4-2-3-1 formation after the disappointing cup exit in Bielefeld. The personnel problems are considerable: with Wöber, Pieper, and Deman all out, Stark and Friedl could form the center of defense.
In midfield, the absence of Stage is particularly painful, as the Danish international is an important pillar in the center. Lynen and Bittencourt are therefore likely to take over the double six. With Weiser also missing, an experienced full-back is missing, which could give Malatini a chance on the right side.
In attack, Grüll is expected to lead the line with Schmid and Njinmah on the wings. However, this line-up remains speculative, as Steffen is still working on the optimal squad selection and further transfers cannot be ruled out.
H2H Frankfurt – Werder Head-to-head & Statistics
The last five encounters between Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen have been relatively evenly matched. Frankfurt have won two, Bremen one, with two draws. Interestingly, however, Bremen won the last direct encounter in April 2025 by 2-0.
A striking pattern characterizes these encounters: all five games remained goalless in the first half. This could indicate that both teams are feeling each other out at first and only make decisive moves after the break. Frankfurt has scored in four of the last five meetings, while Bremen has conceded goals much more frequently during this period.
The games usually turn out to be close affairs. Four of the five matches ended with fewer than three goals, showing that both teams are solid defensively when they meet. However, Frankfurt seems to have a slight advantage at Deutsche Bank Park, winning two of their last three home games against Bremen.
The betting tips for this match are based on clear statistical trends and Bremen’s current personnel problems. Frankfurt’s impressive offense has scored in every first half in recent games and finished 75% of their last four matches with more than 1.5 goals before the break. This firepower will come up against a weakened Bremen defense, which is noticeably weakened by the absence of center backs Wöber and Pieper. The betting markets are offering odds of 2.2 for over 1.5 goals in the first half, which is good value given the circumstances.
Michael Zetterer’s debut in goal for Frankfurt against his former club could add extra spice to the game. The new keeper may need some time to settle in, which, combined with Frankfurt’s 100% scoring rate and the fact that they have conceded goals in 75% of their games, opens up opportunities for both teams. The odds of 1.6 for “Both teams to score: Yes” seem fairly priced against this backdrop. An even bolder tip is to bet on over 3.5 goals in the game at 2.6, considering that three-quarters of Frankfurt’s recent games have exceeded this mark. Bremen’s thin defensive personnel could be the deciding factor here, even if this tip is naturally associated with higher risk.
