Freiburg play host to Mainz 05 on Sunday evening looking for the win that will keep them in the race for the European positions in the Bundesliga standings.
At a time when the home side sit in eighth place in the table, Mainz are down in 16th spot, albeit having recently put together a strong run of form.
Match preview
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On the back of their poor run of form earlier in 2024 that also saw them exit Europe, Freiburg are now facing a battle to earn continental football for next season.
As many as six defeats have been posted in their last 11 matches, and you have to go back to January 20 for their last success at Stade Europa-Park.
However, over the past six weeks, Freiburg's away form has saved them well as they have impressively won three games on their travels in a row.
That is impressive courtesy of eight losses coming from 12 such games beforehand, and VfL Bochum, Borussia Monchengladbach and SV Darmstadt 98 have been defeated in a row.
Christian Streich's side remain within three points of sixth position with a favourable run-in, but they have conceded at least twice in their most recent six fixtures on familiar territory.
Meanwhile, Mainz deserve huge amounts of credit for the way in which they have responded to losing 8-1 to Bayern Munich as recently as March 9.
Ten points have been accumulated from the following four games, and the only occasion when they have dropped points was in a goalless draw at RB Leipzig.
In the three recent home wins, 10 goals have been scored, including four in each of the triumphs over Darmstadt and Hoffenheim respectively.
Bo Henriksen will be delighted with the performances in recent fixtures, and although Mainz are just four points above the bottom two, they are also within three points of 13th place.
Team News
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Freiburg will be forced into at least one alteration with Roland Sallai missing this contest through suspension.
That could see Ritsu Doan used further forward, with Kiliann Sildillia being deployed in his place at wing-back.
The remainder of the side could stay the same, although Merlin Rohl will be in contention to start should he shake off a pectoral issue.
Barring any further fitness problems, Henriksen could look to select the same Mainz 05 side that started against Hoffenheim.
Five different players contributed goals and assists in that fixture in a performance that came after their opponents had taken an early lead.
As it stands, Stefan Bell and Maxim Leitsch are the only two players who are expected to be unavailable.
Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Atubolu; Kubler, Keitel, Gulde; Sildillia, Eggestein, Hofler, Gunter; Doan, Grifo; Gregoritsch
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Kohr, Van den Berg, Hanche-Olsen; Caci, Barreiro, Amiri, Mwene; Gruda, Lee; Burkardt
We say: Freiburg 2-1 Mainz 05
Despite the difference in league positions, this has all the potential to be a thoroughly-competitive fixture that could go either way. Mainz will back themselves to earn at least a draw, yet we fancy Freiburg to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
