SC Freiburg will look to end their four-match winless run in the Bundesliga when they square up against a struggling Borussia Dortmund outfit.
Both SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund are battling for a European spot, making this a crucial fixture in the race. While the hosts are currently better placed, their recent dip in form opens the door for Dortmund to snatch all three points at the Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday.
Freiburg are seventh on the points table with 42 points in their 27 outings. They are level on points with sixth-placed RB Leipzig and are just three points behind fourth-placed FSV Mainz 05. As a result, they certainly have everything to play for in the final seven games of the season.
The home team could have been in a much better position had they won any of their last four games. But a run of three straight draws and a defeat has complicated things. They could still get things back on track with a win over Borussia Dortmund.
The visitors have been far from their best as they find themselves tenth on the table with just 38 points in their 27 outings. The Black and Yellows are five points behind the team in sixth, and they certainly have a lot of catching up to do.
After a run of consecutive defeats in the league, they got the better of fourth-placed Mainz, which has helped their pursuit of a European spot. Now, Niko Kovac’s men will be looking to build on that 3-1 win when they hit the road to face Freiburg. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
SC Freiburg
The home team will be without the services of Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Merlin Rohl, and Noah Atubolu. Apart from the trio, everyone else should be available for selection.
With Atubolu out injured, Florian Muller should take charge in goal as Freiburg will most likely stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation against Borussia Dortmund. Kiliann Sildillia and Christian Gunter will be the full-backs, while Matthias Ginter will pair up with Philipp Lienhart at the heart of the defence.
The back four will look to keep things tight, and they will receive a lot of support from Maximilian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage, who will form the double pivot in front of them.
Ritsu Doan and Vincenzo Grifo will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Eren Dinkçi will take up the role of an attacking midfielder, while Lucas Holer will continue to lead the line for SC Freiburg against Borussia Dortmund.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Muller; Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Osterhage; Doan, Dinkci, Grifo; Holer
Borussia Dortmund
The visitors might not line up in a 3-1-4-2 formation as quite a few of their key players are unavailable for this fixture.
Borussiw Dortmund will be without the services of Emre Can, Niklas Sule, Marcel Sabitzer, and Serhou Guirassy against SC Freiburg. Meanwhile, Yan Couto and Nico Schlotterbeck are suspended for this fixture.
The away side could line up in a 4-2-3-1, where Gregor Kobel will continue in goal. Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson could be the full-backs, while Waldemar Anton will partner with Ramy Bensebaini in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Salih Ozcan and Pascal Gross will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to shield the backline and try to control the tempo of the game.
Julian Brandt will most likely feature as the number ten, while Maximilian Beier and the highly sought-after Jamie Gittesn will provide width to their attacks. Finally, Karim Adeyemi could take up the number nine role in this fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini, Svensson; Ozcan, Gross; Beier, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Adeyemi
Key Stats
- SC Freiburg have been winless in their last four Bundesliga games.
- Borussia Dortmund have won four out of their last six away games across competitions.
- The home side were handed a 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture back in November, which extended Borussia Dortmund’s winning streak in this matchup to six games.
- The visitors have won four out of their last 12 league games.
- Freiburg have been winless in their last two home games after a run of seven wins in nine games at the Europa-Park Stadion.
Player to Watch
Julian Brandt
The 28-year-old is a key figure for Borussia Dortmund, having made 36 appearances this season with 14 goal contributions. With several key players sidelined, Niko Kovac will be counting on the German international to step up in what could be a crucial match in the race for European qualification.
Prediction
SC Freiburg 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Freiburg are winless in their last four matches heading into this fixture, but their overall form has been better than Dortmund’s, and they will certainly give their all to secure three points. While the visitors are not at full strength, they still have enough quality in their squad to push for a positive result.
Borussia Dortmund won the reverse fixture comfortably, but securing all three points this time might not be as straightforward when they take on SC Freiburg this weekend. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw.
