Freiburg vs Union Berlin preview: Two European hopefuls come to blows
Freiburg and Union Berlin will continue their respective pushes for the European places when they face off at Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday.
| Christian Streich. |
Freiburg
Freiburg moved into the top four last weekend after they beat Hoffenheim in a seven-goal thriller.
Roland Sallai gave Freiburg the lead, but goals from Andrej Kramarić and Angelo Stiller saw Hoffenheim hit the front. Die Kraichgauer were not in the lead for long though, with Christian Günter restoring parity with immediate effect before two goals in three minutes gave Freiburg a 4-2 advantage, and though Hoffenheim pulled a goal back, Christian Streich's side held firm to clinch all three points.
That result combined with RB Leipzig's defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach ensured that Freiburg ended last weekend in fourth place.
With a DFB-Pokal final still to look forward to, a memorable season could get even better for Freiburg if they can secure a Champions League place and win some silverware.
The Breisgau-Brasilianer enter Saturday's contest in impressive form after losing just one of their last nine home games. The only defeat in that period came against champions Bayern Munich, while they have lost only three home league games all season.
They have also been in fine goalscoring touch on home turf, netting three goals in four of their last five home games.
Team News
Kevin Schade and Yannik Keitel remain sidelined for Freiburg, while Noah Weißhaupt is ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
Union Berlin
Union currently sit in seventh spot, and with that position expected to become a European qualification place, the visitors are heading for another season of European football.
If Die Eisernen equals or better Hoffenheim's result on Saturday then they are guaranteed to finish in the top seven of the Bundesliga.
Whatever happens in the remaining two games, Union have already surpassed last season's points total.
Urs Fischer's side are currently enjoying an unbeaten five-game run, although they would have been disappointed to pick up just a point against Greuther Fürth last weekend.
Union fell behind following Branimir Hrgota's opener before Sven Michel drew his side level in the 72nd minute, and with no more goals forthcoming Die Eisernen had to settle for a point.
Despite drawing against Fürth, Saturday's visitors have the chance to clinch a third consecutive away victory, and they will be certainly confident about achieving a positive result, with Union unbeaten in their last three matches against Freiburg.
Team News
Dominique Heintz was forced off against Fürth due to an ankle injury, and he remains a doubt for Saturday's contest, while Timo Baumgartl is ruled out through illness.