Freiburg are set to take on Borussia Monchengladbach at home in their 12th Bundesliga game of the season on Saturday at Europa-Park Stadion.
The hosts are seventh with 17 points but lost 4-0 against Borussia Dortmund on November 23, while Die Fohlen are in sixth place and level on points with their opponents following their 2-0 victory against St Pauli on November 24.
Match preview
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Freiburg will feel that they should have at least taken a point against Dortmund given they created four big chances in comparison to BVB's one, but poor finishing and two second-half red cards ultimately cost them the game.
However, manager Julian Schuster felt that his team played far below the level they are capable of, stating: "If you want to manage to take something from an opponent like that, then you have to play to your limits. As a team, we failed to do so today."
Schuster's side have found it difficult to convert their chances this season having only netted 13 times, the joint fourth-worst offensive record in the top flight.
Breisgau-Brasilianer's form in the past weeks has been concerning, with the club beaten twice in their four most recent games in the Bundesliga and held to a stalemate in the other two.
Freiburg's home record remains strong despite their struggles of late given they have won three, drawn one and lost one of their past five fixtures at Europa-Park Stadion.
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Meanwhile, Borussia Monchengladbach were dominant during their match against St Pauli having created three big chances and produced nearly two xG while facing no big chances and conceding just 0.11 xG.
Head coach Gerardo Seoane's side currently occupy the division's Europa Conference League qualification spot and are just three points from fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who hold the final Champions League spot.
Die Fohlen's record of 17 goals scored and 14 conceded makes them the Bundesliga's joint ninth-best offensive and joint fourth-best defensive club.
Borussia Monchengladbach's recent form is strong, with the side winning three, drawing two and losing just one of their last six matches, and it should be noted that that defeat was a narrow 2-1 loss in the DFB-Pokal against Eintracht Frankfurt in late October.
The visitors have struggled away from home in the past weeks considering they are winless in their last five outings on the road, losing three games.
Team News
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Freiburg midfielder Patrick Osterhage and striker Chukwubuike Adamu were both dismissed against Dortmund, while midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and forward Eren Dinkci are not scheduled to return until January 2025.
Expect Maximilian Eggestein and Nicolas Hofler to start in a double pivot behind attacking midfielder Florent Muslija.
In the forward line, Ritsu Doan and Vincenzo Grifo may flank striker Lucas Holer, who has only started one Bundesliga game this season.
As for Borussia Monchengladbach, they will be without midfielder Florian Neuhaus and defender Luca Netz, so perhaps Seoane will station Rocco Reitz and Julian Weigl in front of a back four featuring Stefan Lainer, Marvin Friedrich, Ko Itakura and Lukas Ullrich.
Yvandro Borges Sanches will not make the squad, while striker Tomas Cvancara is a doubt and is unlikely to be risked.
Tim Kleindienst is certain to start up front, and he may be supported by Franck Honorat, Alassane Plea and Robin Hack.
Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Hofler; Doan, Muslija, Grifo; Holer
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Lainer, Friedrich, Itakura, Ullrich; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Plea, Hack; Kleindienst
We say: Freiburg 3-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Freiburg will come into the clash full of confidence given their strong performances of late, and they will feel they can take advantage of a struggling Borussia Monchengladbach side.
Additionally, the visitors will be weakened by the absence of those who received suspensions last time out, and it is difficult to see how they avoid defeat.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
