Gladbach host Werder; Frankfurt face Hertha test
Cologne - Strugglers SV Werder Bremen face a difficult trip to European contenders Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday evening, while Eintracht Frankfurt will be looking to bounce back from Friday's loss at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim with three points against Hertha Berlin, who beat Borussia Dortmund last time out.
Borussia Mönchengladbach - SV Werder Bremen
bundesliga.com looks ahead to Matchday 16's remaining encounters (kick-off 19:00 GMT / 20:00 CET)...
Gladbach head coach Lucien Favre may be without three first-team players for the visit of free-scoring Frankfurt, with Martin Stranzl, Fabian Johnson, and Ibrahima Traore all rated as doubtful through illness.
"Fabian and Ibo should be able to train [on Tuesday]," said the Swiss coach. "Martin and Marvin are both feeling better, but they haven't been able to train with the rest of the team." Roel Brouwers, whose goal earned the Foals a 1-1 draw at Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Matchday 15, is ready to step in should the veteran defender miss out. "Roel is our rock," said sporting director Max Eberl. "We all know we can rely on him."
Wolf to return
Werder keeper Raphael Wolf could return to the starting eleven for the trip to North Rhine-Westphalia. The 26-year-old suffered a pelvic injury in Bremen's 5-2 defeat to Frankfurt on Matchday 14 and sat out the 3-3 draw with Hannover 96 last weekend, but has recovered in time to be included in Viktor Skripnik's 18-man squad for Wednesday's clash.
"It's always an advantage when you're number one keeper is back from injury," said Skripnik. "We'll have to wait and see if he's fit to play from the start, though." Skripnik will definitely be without 20-year-old midfielder Levent Aycicek, who is suffering with a groin problem, while Sebastian Prödl and Franco Di Santo (both knee) remain unavailable.
Eintracht Frankfurt - Hertha Berlin
Thomas Schaaf is set to keep faith in keeper Timo Hildebrand for the visit of the Old Lady. The veteran custodian made his debut against Hoffenheim last week and although regular first-choice Kevin Trapp has returned to the squad following a serious ankle injury, Hildebrand is likely to keep his place between the sticks.
"We did very well at Hoffenheim. You can't really say we didn't perform on the day," said Schaaf at his pre-match press conference. "We made one or two too many mistakes which we want to cut out, but above all we want to put in another positive performance for our fans and thank them for their magnificent support this year."
Luhukay cautious
Hertha captain Fabian Lustenberger, meanwhile, is under no illusions as to the size of the task awaiting Hertha at the Commerzbank Arena, where the Eagles have netted 17 goals so far this season. "They've adopted a gung-ho approach in recent weeks which has proved very successful," said the 26-year-old. "It'll be a difficult game, but [the 1-0 win over BVB] boosted our confidence and we want to get something from the game in Frankfurt."
Valentin Stocker and Per Skjelbred have recovered from their respective injuries for the trip to the Commerzbank Arena, while Sebastian Langkamp, who has not played since suffering an ankle injury in September, has also been included in the squad. "We need to put in a similar performance to last weekend," added Hertha coach Jos Luhukay. "We'll be tested to our limits on Wednesday."
