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

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:

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D

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Freiburg form (all competitions):

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L

W

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L

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

L

L

W

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RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

W

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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.

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