Werder Bremen vs Wolfsburg preview - Bremen set for Wolfsburg test

The Bundesliga's two form teams will meet this weekend when Werder Bremen host second-placed Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Since the winter break, Bremen have won four and drawn one while Wolfsburg have an identical record which has allowed them to open up a sizeable cushion on the chasing pack.

Bremen's 13 points from a possible 15 have lifted them into the running for a place in Europe next season, and earned respect from two former members of their club who will be returning to the Weserstadion in opposition on Sunday.

Klaus Allofs was Bremen's director of sport for over a decade before moving to the Wolves and he is delighted to see his former club back in the top half of the table after several years of struggle since he left.

"I think their rise has been remarkable," Allofs told the Weserkurier newspaper. "They've got lots of quality and I'm impressed with what they've done.

"I'm particularly pleased for (coach) Viktor Skripnik, (assistants) Torsten Frings and Christian Vander, with whom I worked together for a long time in Bremen."

Bremen defender Naldo is also pleased to see his former club on the rise again.

"I no longer have any worries about them," he said. "Werder are alive once again and I'm delighted by that.

"But Wolfsburg are now my team and of course we want to win in Bremen because we have objectives."

Keeping up the pressure on Bayern Munich, who moved 11 points clear on Friday night, is one of those, although ensuring the teams behind do not catch them is the main aim for the season as that would ensure a place in the Champions League next term.

The Wolves are also still in the Europa League, having seen off Sporting Lisbon on Thursday to set up a last-16 tie with Inter Milan next month.

"Wolfsburg have got plenty of world-class players," said Bremen coach Skripnik.

"Maybe they will be a little tired from their game in the last few days but we can't count on that.

"At the moment everything's working well for them. I'm expecting it to be a hard but also a great game."

Skripnik is set to give Jannik Vestergaard a rest due to a thigh strain while Fin Bartels is suspended.