The Volkswagen Arena will play host to a huge Bundesliga clash this Saturday afternoon between Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen, with both clubs desperately searching for points in their battle to avoid relegation.
The alarm bells are ringing for the Wolves, who find themselves four points from safety with just eight matches remaining this season.
Bremen, on the other hand, have an opportunity to massively boost their survival hopes as they look to turn their four-point cushion over the automatic relegation places into seven.
Check out our prediction, preview and betting tips, including the latest odds. If you want more, make sure to visit our Today’s betting tips page for more expert predictions.
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Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen key stats
Wolfsburg are in the midst of a nine-match winless run.
Wolfsburg have failed to win nine league games in which they scored the first goal.
Werder Bremen have only lost one Bundesliga game against the current bottom three.
Werder Bremen have failed to find the back of the net in 11 Bundesliga matches this season.
Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen: Bundesliga survival is on the line
| Wolfsburg | vs | Werder Bremen |
|---|---|---|
| 17th | Position | 15th |
| 21 | Points | 25 |
| 35 | Goals For | 29 |
| 56 | Goals Against | 47 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 5 |
| 18th | Home Rank | 14th |
| 11th | Away Rank | 15th |
There have been some major changes at Wolfsburg over the past few days and weeks after the club parted ways with head coach Daniel Bauer, managing director Peter Christiansen, fitness coach Christian Clarup, and even one of the bus drivers and cooks.
With Wolfsburg rooted to the relegation zone and sitting four points from safety, the club decided to draft in former manager Dieter Hecking to try and turn things around.
Wolfsburg have the worst home record in the Bundesliga, winning just two matches and picking up nine points from 13 games.
Hecking, who led the club to two trophies and European football over a decade ago, started his second spell with the Wolves in positive fashion after holding red-hot Hoffenheim to a 1-1 draw.
Victory on Saturday would not only end Wolfsburg’s ongoing nine-match winless run, but it would also close the gap to their rivals in what is becoming a dramatic relegation battle.
One major positive for the hosts is the fact that they are ready to welcome back four players from injuries, including captain Maximilian Arnold.
Patrick Wimmer, Jonas Wind and Joakim Maehle are also potential starters as Hecking begins to have more options with his team selection.
Only two teams in the Bundesliga have picked up fewer points away from than Werder Bremen (9).
The same cannot be said about Werder Bremen, who are currently enduring a shocking injury crisis.
As things stand, Wesley Adeh (ligament), Victor Boniface (knee), Senne Lynen (adductor), Julian Malatini (ligament), Jovan Milosevic (back), Amos Pieper (knee), Mitchell Weiser (ligament) and Maximilian Wober (muscle) are all on the sidelines.
Recently appointed head coach Daniel Thioune was able to get around his selection issues and oversaw back-to-back victories over Heidenheim and Union Berlin.
Those two results dragged Bremen out of the drop zone and provided a five-point cushion over the two automatic relegation spots.
The River Islanders failed to make it three wins in a row after falling to Mainz last weekend, which ultimately cut their cushion to just four points.
Nevertheless, Thioune will be looking for a return to winning ways as his side targets a timely season double over Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen form guide & betting tips
| Wolfsburg | vs | Werder Bremen |
|---|---|---|
| D-L-L-L-D | League Form | L-L-W-W-L |
| 2 | Points | 6 |
| 17th | Form Table | 10th |
| 6 | Goals For | 7 |
| 12 | Goals Against | 8 |
Whispers predicts: Wolfsburg 1-1 Werder Bremen
The stakes are high and the pressure is immense, but how can we capitalise on such an important game in the betting?
Under 2.5 goals is certainly worth considering at 11/10, with both teams being somewhat toothless in attack this season.
Looking at the correct score market, a 1-1 draw is very enticing at the 6/1 mark. That could make for an intriguing single selection.
If you are wanting something less risky, both teams to score has landed in eight of their previous nine meetings. That market is currently available at 57/100.
> Under 2.5 goals at 11/10 | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score 1-1 at 6/1 | Likelihood: Ousider
> Both teams to score - yes at 57/100 | Likelihood: Probable