Monday could be a season-changing day for Werder Bremen when the club hosts Bayer Leverkusen in Bundesliga action. Closing out Matchday 26, the hosts hope to be the only club in the bottom five to win its first game back after the two-month break because of the coronavirus pandemic. If Bremen can do so, it could kick-start something special when it comes to the team's fight against relegation.
Here's how you can watch the match and what to know:
Viewing information
Date: Monday, May 18 | Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Weserstadion -- Bremen, Germany
TV: FS2 | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Odds: Werder Bremen +380 ; Draw +320; Leverkusen -154 (via William Hill Sportsbook)
Storylines
Werder Bremen: As things stand, Bremen is in 17th place with 18 points. If the season were to end today, the club would be relegated. Bremen has the worst defense and the worst attack in the league -- a natural recipe for relegation. But there is still a chance with 10 games remaining. A win on Monday would put them just two points back of Fortuna Dusseldorf in 16th place -- a spot that does not get automatically relegated (the 16th-place team plays in a relegation playoff against the third-place team from the second division). It isn't a must win, but it's pretty darn close. Can American Josh Sargent be the hero?
Bayer Leverkusen: For Bayer, the team can get within a point of a Champions League spot with a win. Bayer is well on its way to at least a Europa League spot, but now it's time to push for more. RB Leipzig's shock draw on Saturday against Freiburg opens the door. Bayer is one of a few teams in the league that hasn't beaten Bremen this campaign, drawing 2-2 back in October.
Werder Bremen vs. Leverkusen prediction
It's a point that doesn't do much for either. Pick: Bremen 1, Leverkusen 1
