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Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich: 2023 Bundesliga Season Opener Preview

Friday night sees the kick-off of the 2023 Bundesliga season as Werder Bremen host perennial champions Bayern Munich at Weserstadion. With the shadow of their recent defeat in the DFL-Supercup lingering, Bayern is keen to start their pursuit of a remarkable 12th consecutive league title on a winning note.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich's pre-season was remarkable, highlighted by a stunning 27-0 victory and international trips to Japan and Singapore. However, their competitive season began with a stumble, a 3-0 shock defeat to DFB-Pokal winners RB Leipzig. Thomas Tuchel's men, now featuring newly-signed English captain Harry Kane, have the opportunity to bounce back against a side they've historically dominated.

Werder Bremen

Last season, Werder Bremen's return to the Bundesliga ended with a 13th place finish, just three points above the relegation playoff spot. The start of the 2023-24 campaign hasn't been any kinder, with a disheartening 3-2 DFB-Pokal defeat to 3. Liga side Viktoria Koln. Manager Ole Werner will be reliant on last season's joint-top scorer, Niclas Fullkrug, to spark a change in fortune against the fearsome Bavarians.

History & Form

Bayern's record against Werder Bremen is intimidating. They are unbeaten in 31 competitive fixtures, winning 27 times, and scoring almost a century of goals. Their last loss in this fixture traces back to September 2008. Moreover, Tuchel himself has won his last nine matches against Werder, a streak dating back to 2013.

On the road, Bayern has been Germany's best, racking up 33 points last season. Contrastingly, Bremen posted 10 home defeats, accruing the league's lowest number of home points.

Match Prediction: Over 3.5 Goals

Taking into consideration the following factors, the best bet for this match is over 3.5 goals:

1. Bayern's Offensive Power: With attacking talent like Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sane, Bayern's forward line is potent. Kane's Bundesliga debut start will add extra firepower to a team that often scores multiple goals against Bremen.
2. Bremen's Defensive Woes: Werder Bremen's recent record shows a susceptibility to conceding goals, especially against top-tier opponents like Bayern. Their 3-2 defeat in the DFB-Pokal is a fresh reminder of their defensive fragility.
3. Historical Trend: Bayern's encounters with Bremen have historically been high-scoring affairs. The Bavarian giants have racked up nearly a hundred goals against Werder over the years.
4. Bayern's Point to Prove: The shock 3-0 loss in the DFL-Supercup will likely spur Bayern on to make a statement. Expect them to come out aggressively in search of goals.
5. Potential Bremen Goals: Bremen’s Fullkrug was one of the Bundesliga's top scorers last season, and he might just find the net against a Bayern side without first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

With these factors in mind, the over of 3.5 goals looks to be a promising bet. The reigning Bundesliga champions are determined to set the tone for the season, and a high-scoring affair seems likely. Don't miss this thrilling season opener at Weserstadion, as Germany's most decorated club sets out on their journey towards a potential 12th consecutive Bundesliga title.

Pick: Over 3.5 goals -140