Dortmund vs Werder Bremen – News and Probable Lineups

As Borussia Dortmund aim to maintain their perfect record in the Bundesliga, they will host Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park this coming Friday.

BVB has the opportunity to secure their seventh consecutive victory, while Die Werderaner seek their third win in four league encounters.

Match overview

Despite losing 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup final back in August, Niko Kovac’s Dortmund has enjoyed a remarkable start to their season.

BVB currently occupies the top spot in the Bundesliga standings with 12 points garnered from four matches, sitting two points ahead of their rivals in the Klassiker.

The Black and Yellow’s last fixture before the international break ended in a narrow 1-0 victory over Stuttgart on September 19, with Maximilian Beier netting the only goal after halftime.

This success marked the sixth consecutive win for Kovac’s team, which is particularly impressive considering they have conceded in just two of those matches – only once throughout their four league contests thus far.

Understanding that they need to maintain their unbeaten run to hold off Bayern, the hosts will take confidence from their perfect home record at Signal Iduna Park, where goalkeeper Gregor Kobel remains unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season.

On the other hand, Daniel Thioune successfully led Werder to safety amidst immense pressure last season, and his squad appears to be much more secure this season following a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign.

Currently, Die Werderaner sit in eighth place in the Bundesliga standings, sharing seven points with Elversberg, Mainz 05, Bayer Leverkusen, and Augsburg, who is in fourth.

It’s worth noting that this marks Thioune’s first managerial position in the Bundesliga, given how seamlessly he has integrated at the Weserstadion, with just one defeat in his first five competitive matches this term and three victories.

Before the international break, Bremen pulled off a remarkable comeback against Augsburg, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 on September 19, with Marco Grull playing a pivotal role by contributing a goal and two assists.

Nevertheless, Thioune’s side is keen to demonstrate that their previous week’s 7-0 defeat to Eredivisie team FC Twente in a friendly was merely an anomaly and does not reflect their actual capabilities.

However, supporters of the visitors might be concerned that their team has not emerged victorious in any of their last five Bundesliga away matches, having lost three and drawn two.

Team News

Dortmund is dealing with a lengthy injury list, particularly in their defensive line, where both Emre Can (ACL) and Filippo Mane (thigh) are unavailable. Additionally, right wing-back Julian Ryerson and center-back Nico Schlotterbeck are doubts due to muscle and ankle injuries, respectively.

Head coach Kovac has hinted that Schlotterbeck may feature, and if he does start, he would likely partner Waldemar Anton and Joane Gadou in BVB’s back three, supported by Maximilian Beier and Daniel Svensson – assuming the latter has recovered from his illness.

In terms of other absences, Justin Lerma is facing a muscle issue, while attacking midfielder Giannis Konstantelias continues his recovery following surgery on an ACL injury last month.

With their absences in mind, expect Ethan Nwaneri and Fabio Silva to provide support for striker Serhou Guirassy in the attack.

Meanwhile, for Werder, they too are facing a shortage of players with injuries spread across the pitch, including left-backs Moussa N’Diaye (groin) and Felix Agu (calf), though the adaptable Olivier Deman is available as cover.

In midfield, Skelly Alvero (calf), Jens Stage (thigh), and Senne Lynen (groin) are all out, resulting in Youri Regeer and Ludovit Reis likely starting in Thioune’s double pivot, while Chuki is set to play in a number 10 position.

Additionally, Bremen are without strikers Justin Njinmah (thigh), Keke Topp (ACL), and Salim Musah (thigh), yet Niclas Fullkrug will be aiming to continue his strong form since returning to Die Werderaner.

Borussia Dortmund probable starting XI:

Kobel; Anton, Schlotterbeck, Gadou; Svensson, Nmecha, Veerman, Beier; Nwaneri, Silva; Guirassy

Werder Bremen probable starting XI:

Hein; Arthur, Friedl, Pieper, Deman; Regeer, Reis; Dinkci, Chuki, Grull; Fullkrug

Dortmund has performed exceptionally this season, and anything less than a seventh victory in a row would be regarded as disappointing.

Conversely, Werder has had a commendable start to their season and could potentially be the first Bundesliga team to breach BVB’s defense at Signal Iduna Park this campaign.