Freiburg vs. Union Berlin: probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Having moved second with victory over Cologne on Matchday 13, defeat to a currently rampant RB Leipzig in midweek means Freiburg shuffled below Sunday's visitors to the Europa-Park Stadion, but only on goal difference. It means the winner will seal second going into the upcoming break for the FIFA World Cup, which would represent a remarkable feat for both sides. The hosts will be hoping to show the loss at Leipzig was nothing but a blip, especially having gone into that game on the back of a trio of successive 2-0 league wins. Christian Streich started Grifo on the bench in the week as the long-serving Freiburg boss opted for a three-man defence and the more defensively minded Kiliann Sildillia on the right. He should revert to a back-four for the visit of Union, though, with Grifo back in the starting XI.

Union were at the summit going into Matchday 13, but found themselves dismantled by Bayer Leverkusen and then drew 2-2 at home to Augsburg on Wednesday. Sheraldo Becker and Kevin Behrens were the Union players on target against Augsburg - a new front two for Urs Fischer, who dropped Jordan to the bench. After a lively start to life in the Bundesliga, the American striker missed out on a place at the upcoming World Cup this week and will now have to channel those frustrations into rediscovering his domestic form. Behrens, though, has scored twice in his last three outings and seems - for the time being at least - to have possession of the shirt to partner Becker. Captain Rani Khedira misses the trip to Freiburg after collecting a fifth yellow card of the season last time out, with Morten Thorsby likely to step into the centre of midfield.

Match stats

Grifo has provided seven assists and scored one goal in 12 career matches against Union.

Freiburg have not once lost their final Bundesliga match before the winter break under Streich (six wins and three draws).

Freiburg are unbeaten at home in their past nine matches (seven wins and two draws), which is the longest undefeated run yet at their new Europa-Park Stadion.

Union Berlin striker Becker had his first goal involvement in seven matches in the midweek 2-2 draw against Augsburg by scoring the opening goal. He had nine goal involvements in the first seven matches of the season (six goals and three assists).

Both Union and Freiburg have more points at this stage of the season (27 after 14 matches) than ever before in the Bundesliga.

Die Eisernen will want to end a run of two consecutive away league defeats this Sunday, with a 1-2 loss in Bochum followed by a 0-5 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.

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Probable teams

Freiburg: Flekken - Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Günter (c) - Eggestein, Höfler - Doan, Jeong, Grifo - Gregoritsch

Out: Ezekwem (muscular), Gulde (back), Schmid (muscular)

Doubtful: Kyereh (ill)

Coach: Christian Streich

Union: Grill - Baumgartl, Knoche, Leite - Trimmel (c), Thorsby, Seguin, Haberer, Gießelmann - Becker, Behrens

Out: Khedira (suspended), Rönnow (thigh), Schäfer (foot)

Doubtful: Möhwald (fitness)

Coach: Urs Fischer

About the clubs SC Freiburg

Europa-Park Stadion

1. FC Union Berlin

An der Alten Försterei

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