SC Freiburg vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Can the hosts beat their bogey team?

SC Freiburg

SC Freiburg's December received its first injection of life on Thursday night. A goal from Philipp Lienhart ensured a 1-0 victory over 10-man RB Salzburg to continue their unbeaten assault in the Europa League. 

However, Julian Schuster's side will undoubtedly still be their poor start to the month in domestic proceedings. Stefan Schimmer struck late as FC Heidenheim upset the odds in a 2-1 defeat for Freiburg. 

One such positive is that Johan Manzambi continues to thrive for the Breisgauers. The talented Swiss midfielder bagged his third Bundesliga goal in his last three games at the Voith Arena to stay in red-hot form. 

Now, they welcome an unpredictable Dortmund to town, looking to overturn their rotten record against the Black and Yellows. One must go back to August 2021 for the last Freiburg victory over their visitors. 

Team news:

Schuster's team have a relatively clean bill of health all in all. However, Sundays game comes too soon for Eren Dinkci (muscular problems), Daniel Kofi-Kyereh (fitness) and Max Rosenfelder (torn muscle fibre).

Noah Atubolu is expected to line out behind a back-four of Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart and Treu. Eggestein and Osterhage should anchor the midfield of Beste, Manzambi and Vincenzo Grifo, with Lucas Höler leading the line up top.

Predicted lineup: Atubolu - Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Treu - Eggestein, Osterhage - Beste, Manzambi, Grifo - Höler

Borussia Dortmund 

Borussia Dortmund return to Bundesliga action on the back of a rare European low. Twice they led against plucky underdogs Bodø/Glimt and found themselves pegged back on both occasions resulting in a draw. 

BVB's captain on the night, Nico Schlotterbeck, erupted in his post-match interview. He voiced his dissatisfaction with the impact of the substitutes and the overall performance, so there's fire in the belly. 

Once again this season, Dortmund must either put that anger to good use or continue their unsatisfactory form pattern. One thing is certain, SC Freiburg will be a tricky place to go and get a result. 

The Westphalian club will take some confidence from the fact that they tend to have joy against the Breisgau club. BVB have won all seven their recent meetings, while scoring 28 goals in total. 

Team news:

Wednesday's clash with Bodø/Glimt was unkind to Dortmund in more ways than one. Waldemar Anton and Aaron Anselmino both limped off with hamstring issues, while Marcel Sabitzer (stiffness) is also a doubt. 

Therefore, Emre Can and Rami Bensebaini ought to partner Schlotterbeck in protecting Gregor Kobel. Couto, Nmecha and Svensson could be joined by Carney Chukwuemeka, while Adeyemi and Brandt should support Guirassy in attack. 

Predicted lineup: Kobel - Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini - Couto, Chukwuemeka, Nmecha, Svensson - Adeyemi, Brandt - Guirassy