Freiburg vs. Gladbach preview: Two closely-matched sides face off
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Freiburg
Freiburg are sitting in seventh position after winning five, drawing two and losing four of their 11 league matches. Julian Schuster’s side have experienced a dip in form in recent times, having failed to win any of their previous four Bundesliga games. They began that spell of results with a 3-1 defeat against RB Leipzig, before they played out goalless draws against Mainz and Union Berlin. The Breisgau-Brasilianer then experienced a disappointing outing last weekend, conceding four goals without reply in a heavy defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
After being swept aside at Signal-Iduna Park, Freiburg will be looking forward to returning to Europa-Park Stadion, where they have lost just one of their five home league games (W3, D1). They have also avoided defeat in each of their previous six matches against Gladbach (W2, D4), although they have had to settle for draws in each of their last four head-to-head home meetings.
Team News
Eren Dinkçi and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh are ruled out through injury, while Patrick Osterhage and Junior Adamu are both suspended after being sent off against Dortmund.
Gladbach
Gladbach will head into the weekend in sixth place, with goal difference keeping them above Saturday’s opponents. Die Fohlen have put together a five-game unbeaten run since they suffered their most recent defeat against Augsburg at the start of October. Gladbach claimed three home wins against Heidenheim, Werder Bremen and St. Pauli alongside away draws against Mainz and RB Leipzig.
While they have proven to be a tough team to beat, Gladbach have struggled to produce their best form on the road this season. Since beating Bochum in their opening away game, die Fohlen have gone on to take two points from their next four Bundesliga league matches. Their hopes of ending their wait for an away victory will be tempered by the fact they have failed to win any of their previous 16 top-flight away meetings with Freiburg. As a result, they are looking to record their Bundesliga away victory over Freiburg for the first time in March 2002.
Team News
They are unable to call upon the services of Florian Neuhaus, Luca Netz and Grant-Leon Ranos.
