Thu May 15 19:30:28 2008

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Leverkusen fighting for UEFA Cup berth vs. Bremen

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Leverkusen, Germany (Sports Network) - Bayer Leverkusen enters the final match of the Bundesliga season in the best shape of the four clubs in contention for two UEFA Cup spots, but plays the toughest opponent.

Bayer, which hasn't shutout Werder Bremen in its last nine meetings, hosts the second-place club at BayArena on Saturday. The top-four clash could decide the first UEFA Cup qualifier and positioning in the Champions League.

Bayer just needs a win to secure a berth in the UEFA Cup. Leverkusen leads the pack of four teams on goal differential, with at least a four-goal edge on the three others - Hamburg, Wolfsburg and Stuttgart.

"The fight for Europe is really intense," Bayer coach Michael Skibbe said.

Although Werder has locked up a Champions League spot, it is still battling Schalke for second. Second place joins Bayern Munich in the group stage of the Champions League and third place is forced to go through qualifying.

Bremen only needs a tie to secure second place in the league, and Bayer could still qualify for the UEFA Cup with a tie - or even a loss - if at least two of the other three challengers lose.

Bayer will be playing without regular players Lukas Sinkiewicz, Karim Haggui, Bernd Schneider and Stefan Kiessling. Bremen also has concerns with goalie Tim Wiese out injured and striker Ivan Klasnic doubtful with a shin problem.

Bremen goalie Christian Vander, who recently signed a contract extension, will fill in for Wiese.

"He has put on some good performances and we trust fully in his ability," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf.

Hamburg, which is fifth, hosts Karlsruher and can wrap up a UEFA Cup spot with a win - unless Wolfsburg can make up four goals in differential in its finale at Borussia Dortmund. Hamburg has won just one of its last nine matches.

Wolfsburg, the only one of the UEFA Cup hopefuls on the road this week, is one of the hottest teams in the league. The club has one of the best marks in the second half of the season.

"Everyone has to give 100 percent one last time. Every player wants to play in Europe," said Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko, who has scored in three of the last four games.

Stuttgart hosts Arminia Bielefeld in one of three games with implications for both sides. Stuttgart is last in the pack of the UEFA Cup hopefuls and will have no chance of qualifying if two of the other three teams win.

Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez is also trying to catch Bayern's Luca Toni for the league scoring title. Gomez has 18 goals and Toni 21.

Bielefeld is two points clear of the relegation zone and can guarantee a spot in the Bundesliga next season with a win. If Bielefeld ties or loses, Nurnberg may move out of the drop zone and survive.

Nurnberg has a big edge in goal differential on Bielefeld, but hosts Schalke. Schalke, which is third, has a chance to finish second with a win and a Bremen loss.

Bayern wraps up its title season against Hertha Berlin in goalie Oliver Kahn's final game. The German legend is retiring.

Also Saturday, Hannover hosts Energie, Bochum hosts relegated Rostock and Eintracht hosts relegated Duisburg.