Green-Whites face huge test against Bayer Leverkusen

Chewing and spitting out their Bundesliga competition, Bayer Leverkusen visits Bremen today in a mid-week match-up. Following the recent disappointing performances the Green-Whites need to summon up their best as Leverkusen is playing an without fear. This past week in the Köln - Düsseldorf derby they dispatched FC Köln 2-0 and a victory at the Weserstadion would raise them to first in the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen has shown to be the most balanced team in the Bundesliga and Bruno Labbadia is a tactician who after the Köln victory reaffirmed this commitment:

"The win was very significant from my point of view because we played intelligently, kept our shape and won the trial of strengths."

Adding to this, he is confident of victory:

“We are Bayer Leverkusen. We can expect to want to win even against a top side like Bremen. We’ll have to be on our toes though as Bremen have a lot of talented players in their side.”

Renato Augusto and Swiss international Tranquillo Barnetta are questionable to return for the Werkself.

"Intelligent" is what should be stressed as to produce against Leverkusen you must "create" as they are unlikely to commit unforced errors. Green-White manager Thomas Schaaf has not been impressed with play this month which has seen them earn only two points in three matches. Following the victories over TSG Hoffenheim and München, they fell considerably in the table and now face critical matches against Bayer Leverkusen today and Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

However the situation for Bremen is not getting easier as Clemens Fritz adds his name to injury list that now includes Diego, Martin Harnik, Daniel Jensen, Peter Niemeyer Claudio Pizarro and Tim Wiese. Per Mertesacker returns from suspension and his leadership will be needed. Markus Rosenberg will need to produce for the Green-Whites and Mesut Özil must capitalize on scoring chances.