Get our Cologne vs Werder Bremen prediction with key betting tips, projected lineups, and the latest odds ahead of Saturday's German Bundesliga clash.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Match Summary
Competition | German Bundesliga |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 12 September 2026 |
Match Time | 17:30 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Cologne, RheinEnergieSTADION |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | Sky Sports Football (UK) |
Cologne host Werder Bremen at the RheinEnergieSTADION on Saturday for Matchday 3 of the German Bundesliga, with both sides level on three points from their opening two fixtures.
Die Geißböcke arrive off the back of a heavy 4-1 defeat at Stuttgart, having conceded three times in the final half-hour, and will want to rediscover the form that beat Hoffenheim on home soil.
Werder Bremen sit tenth, just above Cologne on goal difference, and travel high on confidence after late goals from Niclas Füllkrug and Marco Grüll delivered a shock win over RB Leipzig.
This fixture has produced goals at a remarkable rate. Both clubs have found the net in 8 of 9 Bundesliga meetings between them, pointing firmly to another open contest this weekend.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Form
Cologne have been all-or-nothing early on, beating Hoffenheim at home before being taken apart 4-1 at Stuttgart. Over 2.5 goals have gone in across every one of their last six Bundesliga outings, and they have shipped at least two in all six. This is a side that creates chances but leaks them just as freely, with Ragnar Ache leading the line.
Werder Bremen bounced back from an opening 4-1 loss to Freiburg with a statement win over RB Leipzig, late goals from Füllkrug and Grüll sealing it. They sit above Cologne on goal difference and carry a clear threat through the middle, with Füllkrug the man to watch. Bremen's finishing is a genuine strength, though their set-piece defending remains a soft spot.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Cologne: Luca Waldschmidt (Injured/out), Timo Hübers (Injured/out), Isak Jóhannesson (Injured/doubtful), Alessio Castro-Montes (Injured/doubtful), Said El Mala (Injured/doubtful)
Werder Bremen: Jens Stage (Injured/out), Justin Njinmah (Injured/out), Yukinari Regeer (Injured/doubtful), Felix Agu (Injured/doubtful), Senne Lynen (Injured/doubtful)
Cologne
Sebastian Sebulonsen is back in full training ahead of the visit of Bremen. Said El Mala and Alessio Castro-Montes are both doubtful after missing part of training this week, while Isak Jóhannesson is nursing a cold and could also miss out. Luca Waldschmidt and Timo Hübers remain sidelined through injury.
Werder Bremen
Eren Dinkçi will be assessed after picking up a knock against RB Leipzig last weekend. Senne Lynen and Felix Agu are still rebuilding their fitness in training, with Yukinari Regeer a doubt. Jens Stage and Justin Njinmah are both ruled out through injury.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Predicted Lineup
Cologne
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: Schwäbe; Mensah, Lochoshvili, Simpson-Pusey, Castro-Montes; Skhiri, Jóhannesson, Krauß; Mala, Ache, Moore
Werder Bremen
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: Hein; Deman, Friedl, Pieper, Arthur; Stalmach, Regeer, Chuki; Grüll, Füllkrug, Dinkçi
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Key Stats & Match Facts
Both teams have scored in 8 of the last 9 meetings between the clubs in the Bundesliga.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Cologne's last six Bundesliga games.
Cologne have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six Bundesliga matches.
There have been 26+ shots taken in 5 of the last 5 meetings between the sides in the Bundesliga.
Niclas Füllkrug has recorded 1+ shots on target in 6 of his last 6 appearances against Cologne in the Bundesliga.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: This has the makings of an open, high-scoring afternoon. Cologne are narrow favourites at 11/10 with Betfred and the projected scoreline is a 1-1 draw, so we are leaning towards goals at both ends in a tight game. Our prediction is a 1-1 draw.
Best Bets
Luka Lochoshvili to make over 1.5 tackles in the match. The centre-back is set to be busy for a Cologne side that has shipped at least two goals per game throughout their last six Bundesliga outings. Up against Bremen's attacking front line, the numbers point to Lochoshvili being kept honest defensively throughout.
Niclas Füllkrug to record over 2.5 shots in the match. Bremen's central striker leads the line in a fixture projected for 3.26 total goals against a porous Cologne defence. Füllkrug has a shot on target to his name every time he has faced Cologne across his last six Bundesliga appearances against them, and he is well set to test Schwäbe again.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder leans into the goals and the physical edge of this fixture: Niclas Füllkrug over 0.5 shots on target, Marius Bülter over 1.5 shots, Jan Thielmann to be carded and both teams to score.
Füllkrug has registered 1+ shots on target every time he has faced Cologne across his last six Bundesliga appearances against them, making his shots-on-target leg the standout starting point.
Marius Bülter has attempted 2+ shots on 7 occasions from his last 9 Bundesliga appearances against Werder Bremen, so backing him for over 1.5 shots looks a sensible add.
Jan Thielmann picked up a card in 2 of his 3 Bundesliga meetings with Werder Bremen, and with five cards or more recorded across each of the last three encounters, this looks a fiery one.
Both teams to score completes the ticket. The net has bulged at both ends in 8 of 9 Bundesliga clashes between these sides, and both defences are giving plenty away this term.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 12/1 and is as short as 10/1 elsewhere.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Talking Points
Selection is the big theme in Cologne, with head coach René Wagner describing this as the most difficult call he has faced since taking charge. That is a healthy problem to have, even for a side that has conceded at least two goals per game throughout their last six league outings. Bremen boss Daniel Thioune, meanwhile, has spoken of a developmental "grey area" as his team chases early-season consistency on the road. Set pieces could prove decisive too, with Cologne generating nine shots from corners across their opening matches and Bremen turning their first six corners into two goals. With both sides netting in 8 of 9 Bundesliga meetings between the clubs, another lively afternoon in front of goal looks the order of the day.
Cologne vs Werder Bremen Predictions FAQs
When is the Cologne vs Werder Bremen German Bundesliga game?
The match takes place on Saturday, 12 September 2026, kicking off at 17:30 UK time.
Where is Cologne vs Werder Bremen being played?
The match is being played at RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne.
Where can I watch Cologne vs Werder Bremen?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
What competition is Cologne vs Werder Bremen in?
The fixture is being played in the German Bundesliga.
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