Freiburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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South Korea international Jeong returned to the starting XI during the week, following two straight substitute appearances, as Freiburg played out a goalless draw at Union Berlin. It leaves the Black Forest club in fifth, but just a point off Hoffenheim in fourth and two behind opponents Leverkusen. It's the club's best position at this stage of a season in 11 years and the best under Christian Streich, who celebrates a decade at the helm at the end of December. Club record goalscorer Nils Petersen made his comeback from injury on Wednesday, while brothers Keven and Nico Schlotterbeck started in a back three alongside Philipp Lienhart. Injury to Manuel Gulde means the trio will likely continue in the Bundesliga's meanest defence.

That backline will be seriously tested by Schick, who has scored each of Leverkusen's last eight goals. The first four of those came at the end of the 7-1 thrashing of Greuther Fürth, but his goals since have failed to materialise into further wins. He put Die Werkself 2-0 up at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, but his team still went on to lose 5-2. The Czech striker did the same again on Wednesday as Leverkusen were again pegged back to a 2-2 draw by Hoffenheim. Despite that blip - and an earlier one in October - Gerardo Seoane's team remain third, but just two points above Freiburg ahead of the game at the Europa-Park Stadion. Jeremie Frimpong missed the midweek game due to suspension, so should come straight back in. However, Moussa Diaby goes the other way and misses this final game of the year after he was sent off against Hoffenheim.

Match stats

Alongside Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano, Freiburg captain Christian Günter has provided the most assists (four) of any defender in the Bundesliga this season

Freiburg are in the midst of their biggest dip in form so far in 2021/22, having lost four of their last six league outings.

The respective away side has won this fixture on the last three occasions.

Schick has scored each of Leverkusen's last eight Bundesliga goals. The league record for a player scoring consecutive goals for a club stands at 10, by Fritz Walter for Waldhof Mannheim in 1986/87.

Leverkusen have the best shots-per-goals average in the division this season with 4.97. For context, Munich need 6.01 and Borussia Dortmund (who have the same number of goals as Die Werkself, 39) need 5.92.

With eight assists already, Florian Wirtz is second only to Thomas Müller (12) in terms of provisions this term.

Probable line-ups

Freiburg: Flekken - Lienhart, K. Schlotterbeck, N. Schlotterbeck - Kübler, Eggestein, Höfler, Günter (c) - Schade, Höler, Grifo

Out: Keitel (groin)

Doubtful: Gulde (muscular)

Coach: Christian Streich

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie - Andrich, Palacios - Bellarabi, Wirtz, Adli - Schick

Out: Baumgartlinger (knee), Diaby (suspended)

Doubtful: Bakker (ankle)

Coach: Gerardo Seoane