SC Freiburg and RB Leipzig are in the thick of a battle for a top-four place, as two points separate the fifth and sixth-placed sides in the Bundesliga standings.
The top two in the Bundesliga are more or less secured, with Bayern Munich leading the way at the summit, while Bayer Leverkusen seem destined to finish second. The top-four race is another matter, as there are possibly seven teams in the thick of the race for two places, with five points separating third-placed FSV Mainz 05 from eighth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach. The upcoming weekend will see Freiburg and RB Leipzig go head to head, and a positive result for either side could change the tide in the top-four race.
Since losing to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, Freiburg have stitched together a five-game unbeaten run in the league, which has improved their chances of fighting for a top-four place. Julian Schuster’s men were somewhat lucky to escape with a draw against Augsburg the last time Freiburg played in the league.
However, Freiburg will take the point and look forward to facing RB Leipzig in a clash that promises fireworks. This is an important clash in the context of the top-four race, as Leipzig are still one of the in-form sides in the league, having collected 13 of the last 15 points available.
While the upcoming trip to Freiburg is very important for RB Leipzig, it is also a pressure situation for boss Marco Rose because of how the season has panned out until now. Having become the first team out of the 36 in the Champions League, Leipzig is faced with the prospect of finishing outside of the top four for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
The team did not give any boost to their chances of roaring back into the mix for a top-four place, as they recently lost to Mainz despite scoring first. A Xavi Simons opener was not enough, as Mainz scored from two of their three shots on target, thus mounting the pressure on Rose. That is not to say Leipzig do not have a chance of a top-four finish, but their form does need massive improvements, particularly in the final third.
Team News & Tactics
SC Freiburg
SC Freiburg do not have many problems ahead of hosting Leipzig in the Bundesliga, although they will have to make do without a few key stars. Midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is out of contention until late March, which could open the door for Maximilian Eggestein or Patrick Osterhage to feature in a double pivot in the midfield.
There are considerable doubts about centre-back Manuel Gulde, who might make the matchday squad if he passes the late assessment to determine his full fitness. Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart will likely start at the heart of the defence, with Kiliann Sildillia and Christian Gunter in the full-back roles.
Merlin Rohl will be Freiburg’s attacking midfielder, with Ritsu Doan and Vincenzo Grifo on either side in the attacking third. Lucas Holer is the expected starting striker, as he will want to get the team up and running against RB Leipzig.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Atubolu; Sildillia, Lienhart, Ginter, Gunter; Osterhage, Eggestein; Doan, Rohl, Grifo; Holer
RB Leipzig
Compared to SC Freiburg, RB Leipzig’s injury list seems longer. Marco Rose has to deal with at least four key absentees, while a fifth, Yussuf Poulsen, is a significant doubt for this one. Defender Benjamin Henrichs and midfielders Christoph Baumgartner, Forzan Assan Ouedraogo, and Xaver Schlager are out of contention for this clash on Saturday.
Rose will use Amadou Haidara and Arthur Vermeeren in his midfield double pivot, while Willi Orban, Castello Lukeba, and Lukas Klostermann will form RB Leipzig’s back three against SC Freiburg on Saturday.
With Antonio Nusa also injured, Rose will consider using Xavi Simons differently. The Dutchman could play behind strikers Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda. Ridle Baku and David Raum are expected to start in the wing-back roles for Leipzig, and Rose will hope to find a solution to their attacking woes by using his available personnel differently.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Castello; Baku, Haidara, Vermeeren, Raum; Xavi; Sesko, Openda
Key Stats
- SC Freiburg have kept a clean sheet in their last five matches in the Bundesliga.
- SC Freiburg have taken 13 of the last 15 points available in the Bundesliga.
- RB Leipzig have won their last six matches against Freiburg in all competitions.
- RB Leipzig have scored at least three goals in five of their last six matches against Freiburg in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Benjamin Sesko
Sesko went through a purple patch only as recently as mid-January, when he scored in five consecutive Bundesliga games. However, the goals have come in inconsistent patches in the six games since, although the youngster does have two goals and two assists in those six encounters.
RB Leipzig’s big problem is their lack of a clear-cut edge in the attacking third. They are the third-worst side among the top ten with only 39 goals in the league. In the context of the 18 teams, that is still alright, although, with players like Sesko and Lois Openda in the ranks, Marco Rose’s men have to do better. Hence, there will be some focus on Sesko and his strike partner on Saturday.
Prediction
SC Freiburg 1-1 RB Leipzig
Freiburg might be one of the most in-form teams in the Bundesliga, although their attacking setup has an underlying problem. However, their defensive solidity will come into play against a team like RB Leipzig, and this game has the hallmarks of a draw.
Leipzig have played one of the most staunch defences in SC Freiburg in recent weeks, and Marco Rose’s men have struggled to stay relevant in the attacking third. While they have the quality to score goals, the idea of them winning away from home on Saturday might be a stretch, and this game might end up in a draw.
