Freiburg vs. Mainz preview: Mainz to move out of bottom three with win

Freiburg 

Freiburg won in narrow and slightly undeserved fashion last weekend against Darmstadt. A Ritsu Dōan goal continued his quite impressive campaign. 

Christian Streich's Freiburg will also have history to fend against as they have lost fourteen times against Mainz, who have won more against Freiburg than any other side. 

In 2024, SC Freiburg are yet to have won back to back games in the Bundesliga.

During the last tie between the two sides, Mainz lost 1-0 to Christian Streich's Freiburg at home in early December. 

Furthermore, Freiburg can move three points above both Augsburg and Hoffenheim to make it into seventh place in the league with a win.

Finally, ahead of the game on Sunday, Freiburg coach Christian Streich said: “I don't think Mainz belong where they are in the table. They're playing with a lot of energy now, players are back from injury and they have a lot of quality throughout the squad.”

Freiburg are still without Matthias Ginter due to injury and Kenneth Schmidt joins the experienced centre-back in being unavailable. 

Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is out with a knee injury and Philipp Lienhart also has a knee injury which will mean he misses Sunday's tie. Rolland Sallai is also out.

Mainz 05

Mainz won 4-1 last time out against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, coming back from behind to blow their opponents away. 

This win meant that they won their first back to back Bundesliga games since early 2023 under Bo Svensson (when his Mainz side clinched 9th place in incredible fashion).

Adding to this, Mainz have only conceded one goal in their last four Bundesliga games and are on a run of four unbeaten (since being smashed apart 8-1 by Bayern Munich).

Previously being the second least clinical side in terms of goals in the Bundesliga, Mainz are now joint fourth bottom alongside Darmstadt. 

For Mainz 05, Jonathan Burkhardt has scored five goals and has assisted twice in the league since his return from long injury. 

Lastly, ahead of the crucial tie with Freiburg, Mainz coach Bo Henriksen said: “We're facing a very good team, but we know how to play. We can score goals and defend. Those are two of the most important things in football.”

Jessic Ngankam is out with a hamstring issue and Stefan Bell is ill so will miss the game. 

The last player for Bo Henriksen, Maxim Leitsch has a muscular injury so will miss the important match.