Freiburg will hope to leapfrog fifth-placed opponents Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga when they host them at Europa-Park Stadion on Friday in what could be a pivotal match in the race for European football.
Both sides have 21 points after 13 games, but Freiburg are one position behind the league's sixth-placed Conference League qualification spot, while the visitors occupy the division's Europa League spot and beat Mainz 05 4-3 on December 8.
Match preview
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Breisgau-Brasilianer were held to a disappointing 1-1 stalemate by Hoffenheim on December 8, who are fifth last in 14th place and had lost their prior three games without scoring.
In the aftermath of the draw, boss Julian Schuster suggested that the result was fair, saying: "The first and second period were okay. We did a lot of things well, especially in the first half. In the final third, more was possible. We weren't good enough. That's why we have to live with the point today."
Schuster's side have had contrasting fortunes at either end of the pitch, as while their record of 17 goals conceded is the joint fourth-best figure in the Bundesliga, their tally of 17 goals netted is only the league's joint 12th best return.
Freiburg come into the clash in poor form given they have only won once in their six most recent top-flight matches, losing two and drawing three in that period.
However, the hosts' record Europa-Park Stadion is strong, with the club emerging triumphant in five of their last seven matches at home while losing on one occasion.
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Meanwhile, Wolfsburg's current position in the table is remarkable considering the team had lost four, drawn one and won just two of their first seven Bundesliga fixtures.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has since overseen a period of two draws and four victories, with the Wolves having won each of their last four in the league.
In fact, no other team in the top flight has managed to pick up more points over the last five games than Hasenhuttl's side, and they are only three points from fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the league's final Champions League qualification spot.
The Wolves have so far scored 29 times and conceded 22 goals in their 13 Bundesliga matches this term, but they have scored on 13 occasions in their last four outings.
The visitors' away form is also strong considering they are unbeaten in their four most recent league fixtures on the road, winning three times and notably beating RB Leipzig 5-1 on November 30.
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Team News
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Freiburg have relatively few absentees, though they will have to cope without striker Chukwubuike Adamu due to suspension, and that could mean Ritsu Doan, Merlin Rohl and Vincenzo Grifo line up behind striker Michael Gregoritsch.
Midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is not scheduled to make his comeback from a knee injury until February 2025, so expect Maximilian Eggestein and Nicolas Hofler to once again appear in a double pivot.
Centre-backs Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart are almost certain to be stationed in front of goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
The visitors' injury list is more extensive, with goalkeeper Niklas Klinger, centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw and left-back Rogerio not available.
Given those absences, Wolfsburg may select a back four consisting of Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Joakim Maehle in front of goalkeeper Kamil Grabara.
Elsewhere, attackers Kevin Paredes, Bartosz Bialek and Lovro Majer will not be available, so perhaps Ridle Baku, Jonas Wind, Tiago Tomas and Mohamed El Amine Amoura could be trusted to start in the forward line.
Maximilian Arnold will likely be partnered by Bence Dardai in the middle of the pitch considering Aster Vranckx's injury, which is expected to keep him out until the middle of January.
Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Hofler; Doan, Rohl, Grifo; Gregoritsch
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle; Dardai, Arnold; Baku, Wind, Tomas; Amoura
We say: Freiburg 1-3 Wolfsburg
Despite their injuries, Wolfsburg are in excellent form and have been rampant in front of goal, and it would not be surprising if they scored more than once on Friday.
Additionally, given Freiburg's poor record in the final third, it is difficult to see how they can get back into the game should they concede first.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan