Bremen continued on an upward trajectory at the weekend when coming out on top in a seven goal-thriller against Freiburg. Although they conceded twice during that victory, Alexander Nouri’s men were always in control and, in scoring five times, were extremely impressive in the final third.
The Green Whites continue to defy expectations and are now unbeaten in six matches. With this excellent run of form in mind, coupled with the fact that Schalke haven’t exactly been excelling of late with just three wins in their last ten, the hosts looks somewhat overpriced at 21/10. Additionally, with the rate at which Bremen are finding the net, alongside the rate at which Schalke have been conceding away from home, backing ‘Werder Bremen to Score Over 1.5 Goals’ also makes plenty of sense.
Even when they were struggling at the start of the season, scoring goals has rarely been a problem for Bremen. Nouri’s men have failed to score in just two of their 26 Bundesliga matches during this campaign, scoring a very respectable total of 39 goals – only the top four and Leverkusen have scored more. Moreover, in recent weeks, the goals have been coming thick and fast with Bremen notching 15 in their last six league fixtures, five of which they won. This is impressive form, especially when you consider that they’ve conceded just four goals in the process.
Schalke might be sitting in a respectable 9th position, with a respectable 33 scored and 28 conceded; however, their form on the road of late has left plenty to be desired. The visitors have won just two of their last ten away games, and just one of their last five. Markus Weinzierl’s side lack firepower and have scored a measly ten goals on the road all season. Despite keeping a clean sheet in their 1-0 win away to Mainz recently, the visitors haven’t exactly been defending well of late, conceding in four of their last five (all-competitions) on the road, letting in at least twice in three of those.
Right now, Bremen are a team in form and are really thriving from an attacking point of view – which is far more than you can say about Schalke. Forward Max Kruse is starting to come into his own, while January signing Thomas Delaney has been something of a revelation and comes into this match after notching a hat-trick last time out.
All in all, the hosts really do look underestimated in the betting ahead of this one and are expected to continue surprising people by coming out on top for the sixth time in seven Bundesliga matches.
Click here to read more Bundesliga tips.