Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen have closed the gap as they chase Bayern Munich at the top-of-the-table ahead of a clash with overperforming Freiburg at the BayArena this week.

Kick-off date/time: Saturday 21st December, 2024: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+

Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Xabi’s Leverkusen

After such a remarkable 2023/24 campaign, it was always going to be difficult for Bayer Leverkusen to keep up that level of quality and intensity. However, after a slow-ish start, they are finding some form, albeit the performance level does remain below last season.

They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just four points behind league leaders Bayern with Bayern facing Leipzig on Friday. Leverkusen defeated Augsburg by two goals to nil away from home last weekend to make it four successive victories in the Bundesliga.

Freiburg Preview: The overachievers

Despite the departure of long time manager Christian Streich over the summer, Freiburg are once again overperforming in the Bundesliga as they challenge for a top four finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification in the 2024/25 campaign.

The visitors come into this one on the back of a thrilling 3-2 defeat of Wolfsburg at Europa-Park Stadion last weekend in a game in which they were 3-0 up after an hour. They have now suffered just one defeat in their last six matches in the Bundesliga. 

Bayer Leverkusen Team News: Schick has returned

Leverkusen have struggled to consistently create chances with key injuries in attack but Czechia international Patrik Schick has returned, despite Victor Boniface remaining on the sidelines alongside both Amine Adli and Jonas Hofmann.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Piero Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Alex Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz; Schick

Unavailable: Hofmann (Injured), Adli (Injured), Boniface (Injured)

Questionable: 

Freiburg Team News: Nothing fresh

Freiburg can name an unchanged eleven for this weekend with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues. They do still have a couple of injury doubts, though, such as Florian Muller and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh.

Predicted XI (4-2-2-2): Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Osterhage; Doan, Grifo; Gregoritsch, Holer

Unavailable: 

Questionable: Muller (Injured), Kyereh (Injured)

Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen’s performance level remains lower than what is and would be expected. They have been strong generally but a lot less slick and efficient with a susceptibility at the back, albeit they are beginning to find some fluency. They face a Freiburg side that are difficult to play against and with their impressive and intense 4-2-2-2 system, will fancy their chances of hurting Leverkusen. The hosts remain favourites for what could be quite an entertaining encounter.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win & both teams to score