Bayer Leverkusen host Werder Bremen at the BayArena on Saturday afternoon, January 24, 2026, with both sides desperate to reverse troubling form. Leverkusen sit sixth with 29 points after consecutive defeats, while Bremen languish in 13th on 18 points, just five above the relegation zone. Kasper Hjulmand's men need to recapture their early-season momentum, but Bremen arrive with renewed attacking confidence after scoring three against Frankfurt.
The hosts have endured a nightmare start to 2026 under Danish manager Hjulmand. Leverkusen were humiliated 4-1 at home by Stuttgart on Saturday, conceding all four goals before halftime in a shocking capitulation. They then suffered a damaging 2-0 Champions League defeat to Olympiacos on Tuesday, missing crucial chances despite creating 2.58 expected goals. The Werkself have now lost three straight matches and conceded in four consecutive games, a worrying trend for a side that finished runners-up last season. Alejandro Grimaldo remains their chief creative threat with four goals and four assists, while Patrik Schick leads the scoring charts with six goals despite the team's struggles.
Horst Steffen's Werder Bremen finally broke their scoring drought on Friday, netting three times in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt after going four matches without a goal. Justin Njinmah, Jens Stage, and substitute Jovan Milošević all found the net as Bremen led 3-2 deep into stoppage time before Frankfurt snatched a late equalizer. Despite the renewed attacking spark, Bremen remain winless in seven matches and haven't tasted victory since November 7. Stage leads the scoring with five goals, but defensive frailties have cost them dearly, conceding 31 goals in 16 matches. Their away record offers little comfort—one win in their last ten road trips.
Hjulmand addressed the media with determination after the Olympiacos setback, emphasizing the need for better structure and a return to his team's core philosophy. Bremen boss Steffen, in his end-of-year interview, acknowledged his side must improve their intensity and effectiveness in transition play to climb the table. Both managers understand the stakes—Leverkusen need points to keep pace with the top four, while Bremen require results to avoid being dragged deeper into relegation trouble.
These sides have recent history favoring tight contests. Their last meeting ended 3-3, part of a pattern that has seen two of their previous three encounters finish level. Leverkusen hold the overall advantage with 20 wins to Bremen's 19 across 57 meetings, but the visitors have proven they can cause problems at the BayArena. Over 2.5 goals landed in five of their last six meetings, suggesting defensive vulnerabilities on both sides that could produce another high-scoring affair.
My model backs Over 2.5 Goals at 1.50 with 67.17% confidence. The correct score prediction stands at 3-1 to Leverkusen, supported by expected goals of 2.49 for the hosts and 0.96 for Bremen. Leverkusen have scored in 12 consecutive home matches despite their recent struggles, while Bremen have conceded in nine of their last ten away fixtures, including three in both recent road trips.
