Werder Bremen – 1. FC Köln

Both sides arrive in Bremen with identical records – Werder sit 11th with four points from one win, one draw and one loss, scoring five and conceding six, while Köln sit just a spot below in 12th, also on four points but with a slightly worse defensive tally of seven goals against. The home side will look to improve their goal difference, which currently lags by a single goal, whereas the visitors will aim to tighten up at the back to close the gap. Their head‑to‑head this season has been evenly poised, making the clash a genuine six‑point swing in the tightly packed lower half of the table. A win for either club could see them leapfrog the other and edge closer to the safety zone as the campaign reaches its critical middle stage.