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

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Kruse fired Freiburg into UEFA competition for only the second time in their history back in 2012/13. Almost 10 years on, having lost a Europa League third round qualifier in 2017/18, Die Breisgauer are right back in the continental equation. Christian Streich's surprise package currently occupy sixth place, after holding fifth-in-the-table RB Leipzig - their upcoming DFB Cup semi-final opponents - to a 1-1 draw last weekend. The result extended their unbeaten run to five competitive matches, precluded news of Streich's contract extension, and sees them only two points outside the Champions League places, with nine rounds of fixtures remaining. Ermedin Demirovic is expected to keep his place up front after scoring against Leipzig, but Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck is a doubt. Elder brother Keven could be the man to deputise at the heart of the Bundesliga's joint-best defence this term (27 goals against).

Wolfsburg finished fourth last season, but head to Baden-Württemberg some 10 points behind their hosts, in 12th place. Ten points across their previous five outings have allayed any relegation fears brought about by a nine-game winless run between mid-November and the end of January, aided and abetted by some shrewd business in the winter transfer window. Kruse has started every came since re-joining the Wolves from Bundesliga rivals Union Berlin, including last weekend's 1-0 win against his former employers. Denmark striker Jonas Wind is also finding his feet on German soil, with two goals to show for his first five Bundesliga appearances - one more than Kruse. Centre-back Maxence Lacroix will return following suspension, while ex-Freiburg forward Maximilian Philipp is set to be recalled at the expense of Bartosz Bialek. Lukas Nmecha can also hope for more game time after getting half an hour last week on his return from a long layoff for an ankle injury.

Match stats

The Bundesliga's record substitute scorer Nils Petersen has three goals this season, but at least seven in all nine since leaving Bayern Munich in 2012. His record against Wolfsburg is three goals and two assists in 15 games.

Freiburg lost two of their first four matches at their Europa-Park Stadion, but are currently five unbeaten at their new ground (W3, D2).

Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken is tied with Wolfsburg counterpart Koen Casteels and Mainz's Robin Zentner for most clean sheets this season (eight).

Casteels is set to become the Bundesliga's record Belgian appearance-maker. He's currently level with ex-Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten on 219 games.

Kruse scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for Freiburg in 2012/13. He has seven in 37 as a Wolfsburg player.

Only Hoffenheim have claimed more points (12) than Wolfsburg 10 across the last five Bundesliga games.

Probable line-ups

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

Out: Keitel (broken toe)

Doubtful: Gulde (knock), Schade (muscular), N. Schlotterbeck (knee)

Coach: Christian Streich

Wolfsburg: Pervan - Lacroix, Bornauw, Brooks - Baku, Schlager, Arnold (c), Roussillon - Philipp, Kruse - Wind

Out: Otavio (knee), Van de Ven (thigh), William (knee)

Doubtful: Casteels (hip)

Coach: Florian Kohfeldt