Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Freiburg have regressed a touch this season but remain an admirably strong side as they now take on a potentially distracted Bayer Leverkusen this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Freiburg preview: Focus on the UEL
Freiburg themselves may well have their eyes on other things with the recent over achievers having a UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie against Belgian side Genk beginning this coming midweek, and balancing European and domestic matters has been tough for them.
Despite the size of the club and their squad as a whole, they remain in a strong position in the top-half of the table. The hosts were beaten 2-0 by Eintracht Frankfurt last week, continuing what has been an inconsistent campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Focus on the UCL
They now face a Bayer Leverkusen side that have been in transition throughout this campaign, and it really has shown, after the early season replacing of former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag with former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand in the dugout.
Leverkusen have a UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Arsenal to concern themselves with but they are also staying in the hunt for the top four in the Bundesliga as we head through the spring.
Freiburg team news: A few injuries
Freiburg are dealing with a few injury issues for this one as Max Rosenfelder is dealing with a hamstring issue, while Philipp Lienhart is working his way back from issues with his abdomen.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Atubolu; Treu, Ginter, Ogbus, Gunter; Eggestein, Osterhage; Suzuki, Holer, Grifo; Matanovic
Unavailable: Rosenfelder (Injured), Kubler (Injured), Kyereh (Injured)
Questionable: Lienhart (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Schick a doubt
After the injury sustained by key wing-back Arthur, Bayer Leverkusen are now also potentially without striker Patrik Schick, who is a doubt due to a strain.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Culbreath, Aleix Garcia, Palacios, Alex Grimaldo; Maza, Terrier; Kofane
Unavailable: Flekken (Injured), Bade (Injured), Lucas Vazquez (Injured), Arthur (Injured), Tella (Injured)
Questionable: Ben Seghir (Injured), Schick (Injured)
Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
These are two sides that have other things on their mind with season-shaping knockout clashes in Europe. That said, one difference is Freiburg's domestic priority will be the DFB-Pokal, while Leverkusen have shown good form in the Bundesliga of late and need to keep up the pursuit of the top four spots so siding with the motivation of the away team may well be the way to go here.
Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen tip: Double chance – Bayer Leverkusen to win or draw
