SC Freiburg vs. VfB Stuttgart preview: A Baden-Württemberg derby
Relegation-threatened Stuttgart are desperate for a point as they travel to face Freiburg, who are without Christian Streich, at the Europa-Park Stadion.
SC Freiburg
It took a while for Freiburg to get going against Sandhausen in the Pokal midweek, but they were able to sneak out with a late victory. The Breisgau club have taken a couple steps back in January after a stunning autumn campaign, but are now licking their lips with struggling Stuttgart coming to town.
Lukas Kübler will likely get the starting nod at right-back, while Lucas Höler should jump back into the first 11 as well. It’s a coin toss to decide whether Roland Sallai or Ritsu Doan start outside, but Freiburg really need more production in front of goal from their wingers.
Christian Streich, who is suspended, stated, “The boys are certainly in no way dependent on whether I'm out there or not. It's not the end of the world."
Team News
Streich can't roam the touchline after receiving a red card last week which means Lars Voßler will be in charge. Kiliann Sildillia is also suspended and Yannik Keitel is questionable.
VfB Stuttgart
Supporters have to feel exasperated that Stuttgart are stuck in a relegation battle for the second year in a row after such a promising 2020/21 campaign. They now sit 16th in the table and last won a league match against lowly Hertha BSC on November 8th.
Stuttgart travel to Freiburg craving a point to provide themselves a glimmer of hope, but could struggle scoring goals without Serhou Guirassy up front. Borna Sosa should regain his place in the starting lineup, as Bruno Labbadia desperately needs a spark to start distancing his team from the relegation zone.
Labbadia shared, “Particularly in a relegation battle, when the boys can be down like they were after the match against Bremen, it’s not about sugar coating but about picking them up again and addressing mistakes directly. A relegation battle is like a marathon.”
Team News
Stuttgart are missing two important squad members in Guirassy and Tiago Tomas.