Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen 27 October 2026 Prediction

Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen have started the Bundesliga season well, but neither has made a deep DFB-Pokal run in recent years. Each has advanced past the round of 16 only once in the last five seasons. Dortmund enter this match with two straight wins across all competitions, while Werder are unbeaten in six league games.

Attacking Struggles and Potential Rotation

Dortmund have had to work for their recent results. Before last Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Sabah, they had gone three games without a victory, losing 1-0 to Bodø/Glimt in Europe and drawing 0-0 with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. They followed the Sabah result with a 1-0 league win over Eintracht Frankfurt, though that was another close game. Beier scored the winner in the 80th minute. Dortmund held a 5-3 edge in shots on target and a 1.48-0.85 advantage in expected goals (xG).

Dortmund’s attack has been modest this season. They have scored 12 goals from 11.58 xG in seven Bundesliga matches. Their defense has been stronger: four league goals conceded, the fewest in the competition, against 7.27 expected goals against (xGA). Manager Niko Kovač may rotate his lineup with a trip to Bayern Munich coming up. Bensebaini will miss the cup tie because of a suspension and fitness issues, while Kovač has said Gaddou will return at center back. Changes in midfield and attack are also possible.

Werder’s Unbeaten Run and Scoring Form

Werder enter the cup tie unbeaten in six Bundesliga matches, with three wins and three draws. They most recently won 3-2 away at Mainz. Manager Daniel Thioune’s side earned two penalties in the first 25 minutes, and Füllkrug converted both. The teams were otherwise closely matched: Mainz led 18-17 in shots, shots on target were even at 8-8, and Werder held a 2.69-1.70 xG advantage.

Werder scored at least twice for the fourth consecutive game against Mainz. Füllkrug has scored in six straight league matches, bringing his Bundesliga total to eight. He said afterward that he was tired, however, and Thioune may leave him out of the starting lineup. Deman was injured in the league match and substituted at halftime; Schmetgens could replace him. Thioune may make other changes as well.

Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen Predicted Lineup

Borussia Dortmund (3-4-3): Meyer; Anton, Mané, Gaddou; Ryerson, Bellingham, Chukwuemeka, Svensson; Nwaneri, Beier, Inácio

Unavailable: Can, Konstantelias, Lerma (injured); Karetsas, Prates (questionable); Bensebaini (suspended)

Manager: Niko Kovač

Werder Bremen (4-2-3-1): Schlager; Wójcik, Friedl, Pieper, Schmetgens; Lynen, Regeer; Dinkçi, Chuki, Grüll; Itten

Unavailable: Agu, Alvero, Stark, Moussa, Ndiaye, Njinmah, Stage, Topp (injured); Deman (questionable)

Manager: Daniel Thioune

Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen Prediction: Werder Bremen Handicap +1.5

Main prediction: Dortmund have four wins and a draw in five home matches across the Bundesliga and Champions League this season, but only two of those wins came by more than one goal. Kovač may also rotate his squad before the trip to Bayern. Werder are unbeaten in their last six competitive matches and drew 2-2 away to Dortmund earlier this league season. In their previous five visits to Dortmund, Werder have lost by more than one goal only once. The pick is Werder Bremen +1.5 at 1.79.

Goals prediction: Dortmund have scored 12 goals in seven Bundesliga games and five in three Champions League matches. They have not scored more than twice in any of their last six games across all competitions. Werder have conceded no more than two goals in each of their last six matches, and Dortmund may rotate their attack. The additional pick is Borussia Dortmund team total under 2.5 goals at 1.75.