Mainz 05 will seek continued progress in the Champions League race when they undertake a Weserstadion visit against Werder Bremen during the Bundesliga.
Werder Bremen played a defensive match against Borussia Dortmund on January 25 that yielded a 2-2 draw and allowed them to maintain their position at ninth with 27 points but Mainz earned sixth rank with their 31 points after beating Stuttgart by 2-0 on last Saturday.
Mainz should have captured all three points in their Dortmund match because they had an extra player from the 21st minute yet they remained 2-0 behind until Ducksch scored his equalizer in the 72nd.
Ole Werner displays heightened concern due to his team's increased goals allowed during their recent string of matches which accumulated eleven conceded goals.
The Green-Whites maintain an offensive position in the league rankings as they have scored 33 goals yet their fifth-best ability to penetrate the box ranks opposite them.
The recent performance of Werner's team produces a double narrative since they won their previous four matches while drawing two and losing two consecutive matches. During that streak they maintained three victories without surrendering goals.
The hosts defeated Mainz 2-1 on September 15 when Derrick Kohn scored in the 69th minute after the team was reduced to ten players facing a 1-1 score.
Weserstadion provides Werder Bremen with robust home support since they lost only one match during their seven recent home fixtures alongside three wins and three draws.
The visitors created four major chances while only facing one during their win over Stuttgart.
Under the leadership of Bo Henriksen, the team currently holds the Conference League qualification spot in the Bundesliga, sitting just one point and two places away from the Champions League qualification spots.
Mainz's performance this season has been impressive, with their 31 points just four shy of their total from 2023-24, when they finished 13th.
Henriksen’s side has scored 33 goals and conceded 23 in the top flight this season, ranking eighth for goals scored and third for goals conceded.
While Mainz have lost two of their last three matches, they secured victories in six of their previous seven.
However, their recent away form has been less impressive, having lost three of their last four road games. Despite this, they were unbeaten in their previous 10 away fixtures, with five draws and five wins.
Felix Agu has been sidelined until the middle of February, and Jens Stage, a midfielder for Werder Bremen, has accrued too many yellow cards and is not available.
Oliver Burke might start for the home team on Friday since strikers Keke Topp and Ducksch are expected to be out until the end of February.
Nelson Weiper is a strong contender to start up front for the away team because their roster is reasonably fit, even though strikers Jonathan Burkardt and Gabriel Vidovic won't be in the matchday squad.
