Bundesliga, Matchday 31 | PREVIEW
Werder Bremen – Energie Cottbus
With the title going to Bayern, Werder just have the little challenge of fending off Schalke to secure the runners up spot in the Bundesliga. For so long it seemed as if Thomas Schaaf’s side would give the Bavarians a run for their money till the end of the season, but a poor start to the second half of the season has put paid to their title challenge.
Their 3-3 draw with Karlsruhe last weekend brought to an end a run of three successive victories, and they now hold second place courtesy of a better goal difference than Schalke. If they are to avoid having to enter the Champions League at an earlier qualifying round, then victory over a struggling Cottbus is a must.
Energie took a huge step towards securing their Bundesliga survival last weekend with a last gasp winner in their relegation six-pointer against Hansa Rostock. How important Dimitar Rangelov’s goal will prove to be may only become clear at the end of the season, but it could well have saved them from the drop.
Going to the the Weser Stadion and taking points from Werder will be no easy task but stranger things have happened.
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