Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
Updated
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After being thrashed in the Champions League midweek, Bayer Leverkusen are back in Bundesliga action against Freiburg, who enjoyed a more successful European venture on Thursday.
Kick-off date/time:
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Bayer Leverkusen preview: Ill-Discipline proves costly
A penny for head coach Kasper Hjulmand’s thoughts after his Bayer Leverkusen side were reduced to ten men whilst a goal down against the champions of Europe this past Tuesday night. Captain Robert Andrich was the guilty party and whilst Leverkusen rallied to equalise from the penalty spot, Paris Saint Germain then snapped into gear and ruthlessly capitalised on the extra man advantage, eventually winning 2-7.
The result was a frustrating one for Hjulmand, who had seen his team finally start to realise their potential in the Bundesliga, rising up the table after winning each of their last three league games, racking up eight goals in the process. But now they face a stern examination after having exerted substantial energy chasing their opponents in midweek.
Freiburg preview: Draw specialists
Julian Schuster’s Freiburg are consistently picking up points, even if wins are proving hard to come by right now in the Bundesliga. Their last three league fixtures have all ended in draws, the most recent of those being a 2-2 tie against Eintracht Frankfurt, which saw Freiburg take the lead in the opening couple of minutes.
However, they allowed Frankfurt back in the game amid a poor first half showing and were fortunate to come away with a point late on through Vincenzo Grifo’s equaliser in the 87th minute. Since then, Freiburg have tasted victory in Europe, beating Eredivisie side Utrecht 2-0 in the Europa League with Grifo on the scoresheet again.
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Several issues
Bayer Leverkusen are dealing with several key issues for this one and that includes numerous doubts, such as Jarell Quansah, Lucas Vazqez and Czechia international striker Patrik Schick.
Predicted XI: Flekken; Bade, Andrich, Tapsoba; Arthur, Ezequiel Fernandez, Aleix Garcia, Alex Grimaldo; Hofmann, Poku; Kofane
Unavailable: Palacios (Injured), Tillman (Injured), Tella (Injured)
Questionable: Quansah (Injured), Lucas Vazquez (Injure), Tape (Injured), Schick (Injured)
Freiburg team news: Key doubts
Freiburg head across to the BayArena with three key doubts for this weekend as goalkeeper Florian Muller is potentially sidelined alongside midfield duo Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and Patrick Osterhage.
Predicted XI: Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Holer, Scherhant; Adamu
Unavailable:
Questionable: Muller (Injured), Osterhage (Injured), Kyereh (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg prediction
Bayer Leverkusen’s results may have improved significantly compared to earlier in the campaign. But defence remains their weak spot and they have kept just one clean sheet in seven league games since the start of the season. This is clearly an area in which Freiburg and Grifo in particular can capitalise on when taking into account his recent form.
The result of this encounter is capable of going either way with the draw very much in play when considering the recent results of Freiburg. But over the course of 90 minutes, expect Grifo to be afforded chances for the visitors should he be in the starting line-up. If he is, then backing the Italian to find the net may prove a shrewd move.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg tip: Vincenzo Grifo to score anytime
