Werder Bremen head into Wednesday's Bundesliga encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt knowing that victory will take them outside of the bottom two in the standings.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt head into contest sitting seven points above their hosts, a scenario which leaves the club aware that avoiding defeat could prove crucial as they bid to avoid a relegation scrap.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Bremen posted a 4-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen upon their return to action, boss Florian Kohfeldt would have felt that it was growing increasingly inevitable that his team would be playing second-tier football next season.
However, seven points from a possible nine, coupled with three successive clean sheets, have put Bremen on the brink of moving out of the bottom two for the first time in months.
Notably, each of their recent positive results have come against teams who were occupying places in the top half of the table at the time of the respective contests, and there is a growing belief that Die Werderaner can pull off an unlikely escape.
Bremen's most impressive results of late have come on the road, and it is now up to Kohfeldt to find a solution for their form at the Weserstadion.
Although home victories have been posted in the DFB Pokal, Bremen have not recorded a win on familiar territory in the league since beating Augsburg on September 1.
From Frankfurt's perspective, they have also found something extra in recent games, ending a four-game losing streak with four points from two outings.
Like their hosts, their upturn in results have come against teams above them in the table, with a 3-3 draw versus Freiburg being followed by a 2-1 triumph away at Europa-League-chasing Wolfsburg.
Adi Hutter's team now sit five points clear of 16th spot, which would see them involved in a relegation playoff, and a further two ahead of their opponents on Wednesday night.
With a favourable run-in, the clash with Bremen is not the be-all-and-end-all for Die Adler, but a second successive win will lift any lingering pressure with five matches remaining.
Despite enduring a mixed campaign, Andre Silva has starred since the restart, with his three goals from four outings almost doubling his league return for the season.
Werder Bremen Bundesliga form: LDLWDW
Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form: LLLLDW
Team News
© Reuters
Frankfurt will have to do without Lucas Torro, who picked up two yellow cards in added-on time against Wolfsburg.
With Goncalo Paciencia also likely to remain sidelined through injury and with his first XI from the weekend having come through 77 minutes apiece, Hutter may retain the same starting lineup.
While Bremen boss Kohfeldt would also prefer to keep changes to a minimum, he has concerns over Leonardo Bittencourt and Milot Rashica.
Bittencourt was forced off at half time against Schalke 04, with Rashica being replaced by Davie Selke before the hour mark after sustaining a knock.
On a positive note, Milos Veljkovic is back from a one-match ban, leaving him up against Sebastian Langkamp for a place in defence.
Werder Bremen starting lineup:
Pavlenka; Selassie, Langkamp, Moisander, Friedl; Eggestein, Vogt, Klaassen; Bittencourt; Sargent, Rashica
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Abraham, Hasebe, Hinteregger; Chandler, Kohr, Rode, Kostic; Gacinovic; Silva, Kamada
We say: Werder Bremen 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
While Bremen have been much improved at the back since the restart, you also have to take into consideration that Frankfurt have impressed in attack over the past four matches. With that in mind, we feel that the two teams will play out a competitive draw.
No Data Analysis info
