RB Leipzig manager Ole Werner will face his former side Werder Bremen on Sunday.

A storyline rich in subplots unfolds at the Red Bull Arena on Sunday afternoon as RB Leipzig chase their eighth league victory of the season, with Werder Bremen standing in their way. The occasion carries added emotional weight for Leipzig boss Ole Werner, who faces his former club for the first time since a turbulent departure ended his three-year spell in Bremen.

Leipzig enter this match-up with both motivation and frustration. Prior to the international break, Die Roten Bullen seemed destined to stretch their winning streak to four matches, only to be stunned in a 3-1 defeat to Hoffenheim. For two weeks, that result has simmered beneath the surface, and Leipzig now have a prime opportunity to reset their rhythm in front of their home crowd.

Despite that setback, Leipzig’s season under Werner has been remarkably strong. With seven wins from ten Bundesliga matches, the club sit second in the standings, playing dynamic, high-intensity football that aligns well with Werner’s principles. The transition from Marco Rose’s tenure has been seamless, with Leipzig blending aggressive pressing, rapid transitions, and increasing confidence in possession.

Werner’s personal history adds extra intrigue. During his time at Werder Bremen, he delivered promotion and secured two stable Bundesliga campaigns before a contract dispute led to an abrupt and acrimonious dismissal. His success at RB Leipzig, particularly this season, frames this reunion as a poignant marker of how both he and the club have moved forward.

RB Leipzig know they must maintain momentum to stay within touching distance of league leaders Bayern Munich. Given their firepower, structure, and home advantage, they enter as clear favourites, but they will be wary of a Bremen side gathering belief.

Werder Bremen enter this fixture in their best shape of the season. Under new manager Horst Steffen, stepping into his first Bundesliga role after impressing at Elversberg, Bremen have exceeded expectations. A return of 15 points from ten matches places them solidly in the top half, with European places within reach.

The timing of the international break felt untimely for Werder Bremen, who were beginning to string together meaningful momentum. They are unbeaten in their last five and have collected three wins in that span, including a confident 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg last time out.

Steffen has brought clarity and organisation to the River Islanders. Bremen look compact, disciplined, and sharp in transitions, qualities that give them a fighting chance even against elite opposition. However, their historical record against Leipzig is troubling.

Werder Bremen have never beaten RB Leipzig in 11 previous attempts across all competitions. Ending that drought would be a significant statement, and with form on their side, Bremen believe they have the tools to make the contest competitive. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

RB Leipzig

Leipzig come into Sunday’s match with several significant injury concerns that limit Ole Werner’s options across the pitch. Benjamin Henrichs remains sidelined with an Achilles tendon issue, and the versatile full-back is still some weeks away from returning. Promising youngster Viggo Gebel is also unavailable due to an ACL injury, ruling him out for the long term.

Adding to Leipzig’s defensive absences, El Chadaille Bitshiabu continues to recover from a muscle problem and will not feature this weekend. There is also fresh uncertainty surrounding striker Romulo, who is facing a late fitness test after experiencing discomfort in his knee. Leipzig are hopeful but cautious, and Werner will not risk the Brazilian unless he is cleared to participate without restriction.

On a more positive note, Castello Lukeba has recovered from the shoulder injury that kept him out of recent fixtures and is now available for selection again. Meanwhile, midfielder Kevin Kampl will miss the match due to personal reasons, further reducing Werner’s rotation options.

Despite the absences, RB Leipzig remain tactically stable under Werner, favouring a fluid 4-3-3 system built on aggressive pressing, quick vertical attacks, and structured buildup play. Their attacking trio remains central to their identity, supported by a hardworking midfield and an adventurous full-back pairing.

Peter Gulacsi is expected to start in goal, providing composure and experience. The back four should consist of Ridle Baku operating at right-back, Willi Orban anchoring the defence centrally, Castello Lukeba partnering him at centre-back upon his return from injury, and David Raum at left-back, offering width and delivery on the overlap.

In midfield, Assan Ouedraogo will bring ball-carrying ability and dynamism, while Nicolas Seiwald sits centrally as the primary distributor and defensive screen. Christoph Baumgartner is likely to complete the trio, adding control, creativity, and late runs into the penalty area.

Further forward, Yan Diomande is expected to operate from the right wing, with Romulo, fitness permitting, leading the line as the centre-forward. On the left, Antonio Nusa will provide pace, unpredictability, and one-on-one threat, forming an attacking trio designed to stretch Bremen’s defensive structure and force transitions in Leipzig’s favour.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Castello, Raum; Ouedraogo, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa

Werder Bremen

Werder Bremen travel to Leipzig with a stable squad and no new injury concerns following the international break. However, despite the lack of fresh setbacks, the club continues to deal with several significant long-term absences that limit depth and flexibility across the pitch.

Mitchell Weiser remains out with a torn cruciate ligament and is not expected back anytime soon, depriving Bremen of one of their most experienced and versatile wide options. Maximilian Wober also remains sidelined with a persistent muscle injury, while Felix Agu continues his rehabilitation from a ligament issue that has kept him out for months.

In addition, although Olivier Deman has recently returned to team training, the Belgian midfielder is still unlikely to feature this weekend as the club adopt a cautious approach to his reintegration. There are no suspension issues for head coach Horst Steffen to contend with.

Despite these absences, Bremen have developed a coherent identity under Steffen, compact out of possession, tidy in midfield, and quick to exploit transitions. Their 4-2-3-1 structure allows them to stay organised and disciplined, while providing enough freedom to their attackers to pose a consistent threat on the break.

Mio Backhaus is expected to start in goal, anchoring the defensive structure. The back four should feature Yukinari Sugawara at right-back, Amos Pieper partnering Karim Coulibaly in central defence, and captain Marco Friedl operating on the left side.

In midfield, Jens Stage will bring physicality and ball-winning ability alongside Senne Lynen, who acts as the deeper-lying distributor. Ahead of them, Marco Grull is likely to take up the right attacking midfield role, with Romano Schmid providing creativity through the centre and Samuel Mbangula offering pace and dribbling threat from the left flank.

Leading the line, the highly mobile Victor Boniface should spearhead the attack, using his strength, movement, and link-up play to trouble RB Leipzig’s defensive line and give Werder Bremen a focal point on transitions.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Backhaus; Sugawara, Pieper, Coulibaly, Friedl; Stage, Lynen; Grull, Schmid, Mbangula; Boniface

Key Stats

• Leipzig are unbeaten in all 11 previous Bundesliga meetings with Werder Bremen, winning nine and drawing two, one of their strongest head-to-head records against any top-flight club.

• RB Leipzig have won 7 of their first 10 Bundesliga games this season, making their joint-best start since the 2020/21 campaign and placing them firmly in the title race.

• Werder Bremen are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga matches, collecting 11 points during that run,  their longest unbeaten streak in the top flight since 2019.

• Leipzig have scored in 19 consecutive home Bundesliga matches, showcasing their consistent attacking threat at the Red Bull Arena.

• Werder Bremen have failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 of their last 15 Bundesliga away games, highlighting a defensive vulnerability that Leipzig’s frontline will look to exploit.

Player to Watch

Antonio Nusa

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Nusa arrived as an exciting attacking wildcard and a player whose influence continues to grow with every passing matchday. The young Norwegian winger combines blistering acceleration with a deceptive ability to glide past defenders in tight spaces, making him one of Leipzig’s most dangerous ball-carriers in transition.

His unpredictability gives Ole Werner a valuable edge, especially against a Bremen side that has struggled to contain pacey wide players throughout the season. Nusa’s ability to cut inside onto his stronger foot, play quick combinations around the box, and create shooting angles makes him a constant threat, while his work rate off the ball allows Leipzig to press aggressively from the front.

With creative figures like Christoph Baumgartner and Nicolas Seiwald behind him, Nusa should receive the service needed to exploit Bremen’s defensive frailties. If he finds early rhythm, Antonio Nusa has the talent to tilt this matchup decisively in Leipzig’s favour.

Prediction

RB Leipzig 3-1 Werder Bremen

RB Leipzig come into this fixture with superior individual quality, a stronger tactical structure, and the added motivation of rebounding from their pre-break setback. Ole Werner’s familiarity with Werder Bremen’s squad and tendencies gives Leipzig an extra strategic advantage, and the hosts’ attacking power, particularly through Antonio Nusa, Christoph Baumgartner, and Lois Openda’s likely influence off the bench, should be too much for Bremen to withstand over 90 minutes.

Werder Bremen’s recent form is commendable and their five-game unbeaten run shows resilience, but their defensive vulnerabilities, especially away from home, make this a difficult assignment. Leipzig’s press, tempo, and depth should ultimately decide the match.