Wolfsburg, the most in-form side of the Bundesliga travel to mid-table Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Nico Kovac’s side are attempting to win their seventh straight Bundesliga game as they look to continue their resurgence after a tough start to the season.
The Wolves sit in 7th place, just two points off the Champions League places.
Werder Bremen on the other hand are in 11th place after suffering back-to-back defeats since the restart of the league.
Bremen narrowly lost midweek to Union Berlin but are still reeling from the 7-1 thrashing from Köln last weekend.
The home faithful will be hoping for a shock result this weekend to kick start their 2023.
Team News
Bremen will continue without their midfield playmaker Romano Schmid on Saturday as he recovers from a knee injury.
The Green and Whites will also be without wing-back Felix Agu who is side-lined with a patella tendon injury.
Except for the two afore mentioned men, Ole Werner has a full squad to utilise as he tries to recapture some of their pre-World Cup form.
Full-back Otavio will be available once again when the Wolves travel to the Weserstadion on Saturday after missing midweek’s win against Hertha Berlin through suspension.
The Nmecha brothers, Felix and Lukas will both be missing from this weekend’s game as they both continue to recover from injuries.
Wolfsburg fans will have been happy to see Patrick Wimmer midweek as he was doubtful after coming off with an injury in last weekend’s victory over Freiburg.
Likely Lineups
Werder Bremen
Pavlenka, Pieper, Stark, Friedl, Weiser, Groß, Bittencourt, Gruev, Jung, Ducksch, Füllkrug
Casteels, Baku, Bornauw, Lacroix, Otavio, Svanberg, Arnold, Gerhardt, Wimmer, Wind, Kaminski
Key Players
Werder Bremen: Niclas Füllkrug
Füllkrug has been the go to man for newly-promoted Werder Bremen this season with an outstanding 11 goals so far this season.
The traditional number nine earned his first Germany cap at the 2022 Qatar World Cup with his early season form.
The 29-year-old’s performances have also earned him two Player of the Month awards so far this season as he strives to win the Kicker-Torjägerkanone.
If Bremen are to have any success against an in-form Wolfsburg then they will need their talisman to be on top form.
Wolfsburg: Jonas Wind
Wolfsburg have had problems replacing Wout Weghorst ever since the Dutchman left the Wolves back in January 2022 but it seems Jonas Wind may finally be filling the now Red Devil Weghorst’s boots.
Wind has scored three goals this week as the Bundesliga returned from a three month break.
The striker has been ravaged by injuries in his first season at the Wolves but now with full fitness he is showing why the club paid an eight figure fee for the Danish International.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The match is being played at the Wohninvest Weserstadion.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off for this round 18 match is scheduled to be at 14:30 GMT.
How can I watch?
The match won’t be available for UK or US viewers on Saturday but you can follow all the news, views and updates right here on VAVEL.