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

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Schade's blistering pace was unable to help him find a way past Cologne's experienced full-back Jonas Hector in last weekend-s 1-0 defeat to Cologne, but despite being substituted at half-time after winning just 12 percent of his challenges, the second-fastest player in the Bundesliga this season should start against Mainz, home of the league's fastest player St. Juste. Speaking of speed, Freiburg need to find a quick route back to winning ways after slipping out of the top four with just one win in their past four Bundesliga fixtures. Jonathan Schmid celebrated his comeback from a lengthy absence dating back to Matchday 2, with a late substitute appearance in Cologne, and while he provides Christian Streich with another option, Lukas Kübler is expected to hold onto his starting berth at right full-back. Roland Sallai is another option, should Streich opt for a three-man attack.

St. Juste missed the 2-0 win over Hoffenheim on Matchday 21 and the Dutch defender has now been ruled out of a return to the Mainz defence this weekend after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. Head coach Bo Svensson may therefore stick with the team which snapped a two-game losing streak by beating Hoffenheim, meaning another start for Alexander Hack. That win kept the 05ers in a packed pursuit of places in Europe next season and Svensson has received a boost to his side's prospects with the return of Dominik Kohr, whose last start dates back to November. The midfielder has now recovered from a thigh injury and, after coming on for the final quarter of the win over Hoffenheim, is now in line for a starting role this Saturday.

Match stats

Vincenzo Grifo is Freiburg's top provider this season with six assists, with the dead-ball specialist contributing to the club's league-high 16 goals from set pieces.

Freiburg and Germany full-back Christian Günter made his 100th successive start in the Bundesliga when lining out in last week's defeat against Cologne.

Freiburg went unbeaten in their first 10 Bundesliga games this season but have now lost six of their last 11 league matches and won only one out of four in 2022.

Mainz's St. Juste is the fastest player in the Bundesliga this season with a top speed of 22.7 mph. Second is Freiburg's Schade (22.6 mph).

Mainz have kept the most clean sheets in the league this season with eight. Second place is held jointly by Freiburg and Bayern Munich with seven each.

The 05ers are unbeaten in their last three games against Freiburg (W2, D1), including a 0-0 draw at home on Matchday 5. They have more wins against the home side (14) than any other club in their Bundesliga history.

Probable line-ups

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

Out: K. Schlotterbeck (not included)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Christian Streich

Mainz: Zentner - Hack, Bell, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Barreiro, Lee, Kohr, Martin - Onisiwo, Burkardt

Out: Ingvartsen (groin), St. Juste (shoulder), Tauer (groin)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Bo Svensson