Freiburg's quest to qualify for the Champions League continues on Saturday when they welcome Hoffenheim to Europa-Park Stadion in their fourth last Bundesliga game of the season.
The sixth-placed hosts beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 on April 12, and their tally of 45 points is only three fewer than fourth-placed RB Leipzig, whereas Hoffenheim are fifth last in 14th place with 30 points but did emerge as 2-0 victors against Mainz 05 last Saturday.
Match preview
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Breisgau-Brasilianer were deserving winners against Borussia Monchengladbach, creating four big chances while facing none themselves.
Freiburg have scored six goals in their past four Bundesliga matches but conceded nine in that time, as many as they had conceded in their prior eight (6).
Manager Julian Schuster's team were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Hoffenheim in the league on December 8, though they are unbeaten in seven games against the visitors, winning on five occasions.
The hosts' victory last time out was their first in six outings having lost two and drawn three of their five matches leading up to their clash against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Freiburg are also winless in three games at home – suffering defeat twice – but they did emerge triumphant in seven of their previous nine at Europa-Park Stadion.
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As for the visitors, they restricted Mainz to low-quality shots, preventing them from registering more than one effort on target.
Hoffenheim's win saw them keep a clean sheet for the first time in five fixtures, though it should be noted that they have only conceded more than one goal in a single game once in their past eight.
Should boss Christian Ilzer lead his side to another victory on Saturday, his team's safety in the division would almost be secured given they are eight points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Die Kraichgauer have won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five, but they collected 12 points in their past eight Bundesliga matches, more than they managed to collect in their prior 14 in the league (11).
While Hoffenheim come into Saturday's match on the back of two consecutive away defeats, they did triumph in four of their previous five on the road.
Team News
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Freiburg will certainly be unable to select striker Chukwubuike Adamu, who must serve a suspension due to the accumulation of too many yellow cards, while attacker Eren Dinkci is injured.
Expect centre-forward Michael Gregoritsch to be supported by Ritsu Doan, Nicolas Holer and Vincenzo Grifo.
Maximilian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage's places in the XI can be pencilled in since midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is not likely to return to the pitch until the middle of May.
Florian Muller is certain to be trusted in goal considering shot-stopper Noah Atubolu is unavailable as a result of injury.
Opponents Hoffenheim may start centre-backs Arthur Chaves and Kevin Akpoguma considering Leo Ostigard is suspended, while Christopher Lenz and Ozan Kabak are injured.
Though midfielders Diadie Samassekou and Grischa Promel are not likely to be part of the matchday squad, regulars Anton Stach and Tom Bischof are expected to feature.
Elsewhere, striker Haris Tabakovic may lead his side's attack in front of forwards Bazoumana Toure, Andrej Kramaric and Marius Bulter considering Ihlas Bebou has been ruled out.
Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Muller; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Osterhage; Doan, Holer, Grifo; Gregoritsch
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Gendrey, Chaves, Akpoguma, Prass; Stach, Bischof; Toure, Kramaric, Bulter; Tabakovic
We say: Freiburg 1-1 Hoffenheim
Freiburg's form is concerning, as is their defensive frailty, and it is hard to see them keeping Hoffenheim at bay.
While the visitors have not been particularly strong at the back, they could take advantage of their hosts' struggles and come away from Europa-Park Stadion with at least a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
