Freiburg vs Hamburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Freiburg must hit the ground running in 2026 if they are to make a sustained run at the European spots, starting here at home to Hamburg.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Freiburg preview: Big second half required
Freiburg will have hoped for better in the first half of this Bundesliga campaign. As it stands, they sit six points adrift of the top six and a squad of their calibre is capable of a lot more. Julian Schuster doesn’t have to worry about any European commitments just now, so hitting the ground running is vital from his point of view.
The hosts went into the winter break following a thrilling 3-4 triumph away at Wolfsburg and that was following a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund. This group of players are more than good enough to put together a sustained unbeaten run.
Hamburg preview: Staying afloat
If you had told Hamburg fans that their side would be four points above the bottom three going into the winter break, they would likely be very happy. The newly promoted club will have always wanted to stay in the division at a bare minimum but it was always going to be a battle, which they are currently winning.
Hamburg’s home form has been key to their success and will remain so moving forward. If they can maintain that and then improve their results on the road then relegation won’t be a worry for much longer.
Freiburg team news: Kyereh only miss
Freiburg have an almost fully-fit squad heading into this encounter with Kyereh the one player out through injury.
Predicted XI: (4-2-3-1): Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Osterhage; Beste, Manzambi, Grifo; Holer
Unavailable: Kyereh (Injured)
Questionable:
Hamburg team news: Poulsen most notable absentee
Hamburg are missing the likes of Balde and Glatzel. But Yussuf Poulsen remains the key loss up top with an ankle injury.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes; Capaldo, Vuskovic, Elfadli; Mikelbrencis, Sambi Lokonga, Remberg, Muheim; Vieira, Konigsdorffer, Dompe
Unavailable: Balde (Injured), Glatzel (Injured), Omari (Injured), Poulsen (Injured)
Questionable:
Freiburg vs Hamburg prediction
The expectation is that Freiburg will dominate most of this game, especially with them being at home. They boast a stronger squad and should enjoy plenty of possession. Key for them will be showing a killer-instinct in front of goal and defending strongly against both the counter-attacking and set-piece threat of Hamburg.
The longer this contest goes, the more Hamburg may end up tiring and with a virtually fully-fit squad, Julian Schuster has plenty of options he can call upon from the bench to inject Freiburg with more urgency and speed if required. In the end, the expectation is that the home side will come away with three points.
Freiburg vs Hamburg tip: Freiburg to win
