Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Hungary
Lithuania
Nigeria
South Korea
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Freiburg vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 4 May 2023, 19:52
Freiburg will be seeking revenge against RB Leipzig when the two Bundesliga sides lock horns at the Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday afternoon.

The Breisgau-Brasilianer enter the contest after being thrashed 5-1 at home against Die Roten Bullen in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals on Tuesday.

Match preview

Freiburg were in buoyant mood heading into Tuesday's German Cup semi-final with Leipzig, a repeat of last season's final in which Die Roten Bullen prevailed on penalties, after winning each of their last three Bundesliga matches by an aggregate score of 7-1.

However, the Black Forest outfit found themselves 4-0 down at half time, before Josko Gvardiol's dismissal just before the hour mark was followed by a consolation strike form Michael Gregoritsch in the final 15 minutes.

Christian Streich will hope that his deflated side can quickly dust themselves down, with their primary focus now on finishing in the top four of the Bundesliga for the first time in 28 years and securing Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.

Indeed, Freiburg currently occupy fourth spot in the top-flight table, sitting just two points above Leipzig in fifth with only four games remaining, highlighting the importance of Saturday's game between the two teams.

Aside from Tuesday's cup thrashing, Freiburg have a strong home record in the Bundesliga this term, winning nine of their 15 games at the Europa-Park Stadion, but they have struggled against Leipzig over the years as they have failed to win each of their last six top-flight meetings with Die Roten Bullen.

Following a run of three successive defeats across all competitions in which they conceded 11 goals without replay, Leipzig have since put together a strong run of form heading into the latter stages of the campaign, winning five of their last six matches.

Dominik Szoboszlai (2), Dani Olmo, Benjamin Henrichs and Christopher Nkunku were all on the scoresheet in Tuesday's DFB-Pokal victory over Freiburg, helping Die Roten Bullen progress to their fourth final in the last five seasons.

While lifting silverware for the second successive campaign will be high on Leipzig's agenda, Marco Rose and co have four final Bundesliga fixtures to prepare for before next month's DFB-Pokal showdown against Eintracht Frankfurt, with dreams of Champions League qualification still firmly alive.

Leipzig's most recent triumph at Freiburg will provide them with a much-needed boost ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga clash having previously struggled to grind out positive results on the road, winning just five of their 15 top-flight away matches so far this season.

With a tricky trip to league leaders Bayern Munich on the horizon, Die Roten Bullen will be keen to come out on top against Freiburg once again this weekend as they look to take control of the top four-race.

Freiburg Bundesliga form:

D

D

L

W

W

W

Freiburg form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

L

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

L

L

W

W

L

W

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

W

W

Team News

Freiburg are still without midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who has been sidelined since February with a cruciate ligament injury, while centre-back Manuel Gulde is ruled out with a hamstring problem.

Streich's decision to switch to a back five on Tuesday did not pay off, and the 57-year-old will likely revert to a more familiar four-man defence, which could see Lukas Kubler drop out of the starting lineup.

Vincenzo Grifo, who has scored nine of his 13 Bundesliga goals on home soil this season, is expected to start on the left flank, joining Ritsu Doan and Gregoritsch in the final third.

As for Leipzig, goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi and Xaver Schlager remain sidelined with respective knee and ankle injuries, but Gvardiol is available for selection despite his dismissal in Tuesday's cup semi-final, and the in-demand centre-back is expected to continue his partnership alongside Willi Orban.

After scoring once and providing three assists against Freiburg last time out, Dani Olmo is set to keep his place on the left side of attack, with Nkunku - who has registered seven goal contributions in as many Bundesliga matches against Freiburg - to operate in the No.10 role.

Timo Werner has failed to score in his last three appearances, but he has found the net 10 times in 12 previous top-flight encounters with Freiburg - only against Mainz 05 (13) has he scored more against a single opponent - and the former Chelsea man is expected to lead the line on Saturday.

Freiburg possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Hofler; Doan, Holer, Grifo; Gregoritsch

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Blaswich; Henrichs, Orban, Gvardiol, Halstenberg; Laimer, Haidara; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Olmo; Werner

We say: Freiburg 1-2 RB Leipzig

Leipzig will be hoping that Freiburg are still reeling from the effects of Tuesday's heavy defeat as they aim to climb above Saturday's opponents into the top four with another victory the Europa-Park Stadion.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

21 March 2025 talksport.com Rasmus Hojlund rubbed salt in the wounds after scoring against Cristiano Ronaldo - but revealed it wasn't his intention to troll his idol. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England head coach Thomas Tuchel has reportedly omitted three players from his matchday squad to face Albania in Friday's World Cup 2026 Qualifying match at Wembley. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Sir Alex Ferguson is back for one day only to aid one of his former players. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons during this summer's transfer window. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Italy manager Luciano Spalletti has provided an update on Riccardo Calafiori's fitness after the defender suffered an awkward fall. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly preparing to make another move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite during this summer's transfer window, having been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign him last year. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Trailing by two goals from the first leg, Belgium have a mountain to climb when they reconvene with Ukraine on Sunday evening, as the pair fight it out for a place in the UEFA Nations League's top tier. 21 March 2025 talksport.com Thierry Henry's legendary aura was summed up on Thursday night in California. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has said that Pau Cubarsi has a chance of being involved in Sunday's UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg against Netherlands despite suffering an ankle issue in the first leg on Thursday night. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Round five of the 2025 Major League Soccer season sees two sides who have made mixed starts to life this term lock horns at the Bank of America Stadium when Charlotte FC play host to the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Cyprus vs. San Marino (Friday, 5.00pm) Cyprus will be expecting to make a winning start to their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign when they kick off their Group H challenge at home to San Marino on Friday night. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Off the back of a first defeat of the season last time out, the Philadelphia Union will set out to secure an immediate return to winning ways when they welcome St Louis City to Subaru Park on Sunday. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo ahead of the summer transfer window. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was withdrawn at half time of France's 2-0 defeat against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern after Riccardo Calafiori was forced off in Italy's 2-1 defeat against Germany on Thursday. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barnsley must win against visitors Cambridge United on Saturday at Oakwell in League One if they are to keep their slim promotion hopes alive. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Sweden will hope to use their friendly clash against hosts Luxembourg on Saturday at Stade de Luxembourg as preparation for the beginning of their World Cup qualifying campaign in September. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Dreaming of making a late push for the playoffs in League Two, Cheltenham Town are set to host MK Dons at Whaddon Road on Saturday. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women will welcome Liverpool Women to the Emirates Stadium for Saturday's Women's Super League encounter. 20 March 2025 talksport.com Rasmus Hojlund rubbed salt in the wounds after scoring against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. 20 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel will leave no stone unturned in his quest to win matches as he looks to be the man to guide England to their first trophy since 1966. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mikel Merino came up with a last-gasp leveller as Spain fought back to draw 2-2 with 10-man Netherlands in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final in Rotterdam on Thursday night. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Joshua Kimmich provided two assists as Germany fought back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory over Italy in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final at the San Siro. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Croatia emerged as 2-0 winners against France in the first leg of the sides' UEFA Nations League A quarter-final clash at Stadion Poljud on Thursday night. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rasmus Hojlund proved the hero from the bench as his goal secured Denmark a crucial 1-0 win on Thursday, giving them the upper hand over Portugal ahead of their second-leg matchup in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. 20 March 2025 talksport.com John Obi Mikel suggested Eden Hazard had it in him to be as good as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi... if only he had tried in training! 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi has been forced off the field in the first half of Spain's UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg with Netherlands, and he could now be set for a spell on the sidelines. 20 March 2025 talksport.com Sir Alex Ferguson pleaded with John Obi Mikel to join Manchester United in a tense, privately held meeting. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly battling Real Madrid for the signature of Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen.