Borussia Dortmund
Werder BremenBy Kunle Bankole — Football expert on Nordic & South American leagues
The upcoming DFB-Pokal clash brings together two Bundesliga sides enjoying strong starts to the season, yet neither has made a significant mark in the national cup competition in recent memory. Over the past five years, both Dortmund and Bremen have advanced past the quarterfinal stage only once. As they prepare to face off, the Schwarzgelben arrive riding a two-game winning streak across all competitions, while their visitors carry an impressive six-match unbeaten run in the league.
Life hasn't been entirely smooth for Dortmund lately. Before their Champions League victory over Sabah (2-1) last Tuesday, Niko Kovac's men endured a three-game winless stretch, which included a loss to Bodo/Glimt (0-1) and a frustrating stalemate with Union Berlin (0-0). Their second consecutive win arrived in the seventh Bundesliga round against Eintracht, but it was anything but comfortable. A solitary strike from Beyer in the 80th minute decided the contest, and the underlying numbers reveal a narrow margin: a 5:3 advantage in shots on target and an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.48 versus 0.85.
Dortmund's offensive output this season has been far from intimidating. Across seven Bundesliga fixtures, they have accumulated just 11.58 xG and found the net 12 times. Defensively, the story is starkly different; only four goals have slipped past their goalkeeper in the league—the best record in the competition—against an expected goals against (xGA) of 7.27. With a crucial trip to Munich to face Bayern on the horizon, Kovac has every reason to shuffle his pack for this cup tie. Bensebaini is definitely out due to suspension and physical issues. Meanwhile, the coach has confirmed Gadu's return to the central defensive role. Given the depth in midfield and attack, several fresh faces could feature in the starting eleven.
Werder Bremen enters this cup encounter in fine fettle, their league unbeaten run now stretching to six matches, featuring three wins and three draws. Most recently, Daniel Tjune's squad secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory away at Mainz, another team enjoying a strong start. The game was heavily shaped by a blistering opening from the visitors, who earned two penalties within the first 25 minutes, both coolly converted by Füllkrug. Despite this, the overall attacking statistics painted a picture of parity: 17 total shots to 18, 8 shots on target for each side, and an xG of 2.69 against 1.70.
The clash with Mainz once again underscored Bremen's creative efficiency, marking the fourth consecutive game where they have scored at least twice. Füllkrug remains in scintillating form, having found the net in his sixth straight league outing, bringing his Bundesliga tally to eight. However, the striker admitted to feeling fatigued after the Mainz match, making it highly likely Tjune will spare him from the starting lineup. Deman is also sidelined after picking up an injury in that same game, being substituted at halftime. Schmet
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The match is scheduled for October 27, 2026, with kickoff at 20:45 local time.
Dortmund have won their last two matches across all competitions, but Bremen boast a six-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga, featuring three wins and three draws.
For Dortmund, Bensebaini is definitely out due to suspension and physical issues. For Bremen, Deman is injured and top scorer Füllkrug is expected to be rested after admitting fatigue, while Gadu returns to Dortmund's central defense.
Dortmund have the best defensive record in the Bundesliga, conceding only four goals despite an xGA of 7.27. Bremen have scored at least twice in their last four league matches, with Füllkrug scoring in six consecutive league games.
Over the past five seasons, neither Dortmund nor Bremen have advanced past the quarterfinal stage more than once each.