Bremen and Augsburg in fight for survival
It is a relegation tussle of epic proportions at the Weser Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 15:30CEST/13:30GMT) as SV Werder Bremen host fellow strugglers FC Augsburg with only a point between two sides on either side of the relegation precipice.
History
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Bremen gathered plenty of compliments for their courageous display at Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 28, but they could do with a victory as they head into the final six games of the season just a point above the drop zone.
Watch: Dortmund 3-2 Bremen highlights
Augsburg have also impressed enough people with their style of play and brand of football, but with points also lacking, it is time for them to roll up their sleeves and prepare for a scrap as they seek to extend their five-season Bundesliga existence.
Watch: Mainz 4-2 Augsburg highlights
Matchday 12 rewind: Augsburg 1-2 Bremen
Matchday 29 - match stats
- Bremen have gone three games without a win in the Bundesliga, although they did face the top two and Mainz in that period.Augsburg have not won in six games and only goal difference is currently keeping them above the automatic relegation zone.Die Függerstädter have conceded 16 goals in their last six games.The Bavarians' record against the sides closest to them in the table is of concern: against SV Darmstadt 98, Bremen, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt, Markus Weinzierl's men have picked up just three points in seven games.Bremen have won both games against Augsburg under Viktor Skripnik.Bremen have conceded at least once in their last 31 Bundesliga matches, which is the third-longest sequence in their history – the second longest being 32.Bremen are the only team still to have four home and only two away games this season, and they are unbeaten at home in their last six.Claudio Pizarro has scored almost as many goals in the Bundesliga by himself (188) as Augsburg have overall (194).Both teams are strong at set-pieces, and 14 of the 28 goals in their previous meetings have come from dead-ball situations.
Possible line-ups
Bremen:Wiedwald - Gebre Selassie, Galvez, Vestergaard, Garcia - Grillitsch - Öztunali, Yatabare, Junuzovic, Bartels - Ujah
Absentees: Djilobodji (suspended), Pizarro (stomach muscle), Bargfrede (knee), Fritz (thigh), Johannsson (light training)
Coach: Viktor Skripnik
Augsburg:Hitz - Janker, Gouweleeuw, Klavan, Max - Baier - Kohr - Bobadilla, Halil Altintop, Caiuby - Finnbogason
Absentees: Feulner (suspended), Koo (suspended), Moravek (light training), Ji (light training), Verhaegh (thigh)
Coach: Markus Weinzierl