Wolfsburg can see off a Bremen side who have been generally struggling of late.
Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen – Friday 19:30, BT Sport Europe
Both these sides have endured disappointing seasons to date, finding themselves in a relegation dogfight. Wolfsburg were outclassed at Dortmund last weekend but should nevertheless come into this with some confidence after three wins in their last four at home, including successes over current top-six sides Hoffenheim and Frankfurt. Furthermore, they’ve reigned supreme in this fixture in the last three seasons, where they’ve conceded just once while netting 11 themselves.
The hosts have hardly been prolific in front of goal this season though, as only bottom-club Darmstadt have scored fewer than their 19. However, they have a golden opportunity to increase that tally as they take on the worst defence in the division. Bremen have kept just two clean sheets all season, but have only twice failed to find the net themselves and as a result both teams have scored in 17 of their 21 matches.
Bremen picked up an important win at Mainz but had previously lost four of six winless matches. They’re without centre-back Clemens Fritz through suspension, without whom they’ve lost six of their last nine games, conceding on average 2.2 goals in these. Having not won any of their first seven at home, Wolfsburg’s performances have certainly improved of late and we fancy them to get all three points here. Given it’s against Bremen we suggest backing a home win and both teams to score, with the 2-1 correct score also worth backing.
