Freiburg will continue their quest to qualify for European football on Sunday when they travel to face Hoffenheim at PreZero Arena in their 13th Bundesliga game of the season.
The hosts are 14th with just 12 points and lost 2-0 against Mainz 05 on December 1, while the visitors beat Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 on November 30 and are seventh with 20 points, just one place from the division's Conference League spot.
Match preview
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Hoffenheim were thoroughly outplayed by Mainz in their last Bundesliga outing, creating just one big chance while facing four big chances and conceding nearly 2.5 xG.
The hosts trailed 2-0 at half time, and in the aftermath of the defeat, boss Christian Ilzer lamented his team's showing, saying: "We ultimately lose the game in the first half because we are not bilious enough and don't show enough tension in the first few minutes."
Die Kraichgauer were also eliminated from the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday, losing 3-0 against Wolfsburg in the round of 16.
Ilzer's side have lost their three most recent games, failing to score in any of those matches, though they have only lost twice in their past seven league outings, winning on two occasions.
To their credit, Hoffenheim's record at home has been fairly good, with the club achieving victory in four of their last six fixtures at PreZero Arena, losing just one.
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Meanwhile, Freiburg created four big chances compared to Borussia Monchengladbach's one, although they did face 15 shots on goal.
Manager Julian Schuster singled out his forwards for praise, highlighting the fact they had bounced back from a poor spell in the final third, telling reporters: "They accepted the situation and continued to work, so it's no coincidence that they reward themselves."
Breisgau-Brasilianer had failed to net in the prior three games to their victory against Borussia Monchengladbach, but it should be noted that they only scored once against 3. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday when they lost 3-1 and were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal.
Freiburg have lost two of their last three games, drawing the previous two, and they have lost two, drawn two and won just one of their five most recent matches in the Bundesliga.
The visitors' away record in the top flight is also poor, with the club having lost two and drawn one of their past three league fixtures on the road, and failing to win six of their last eight away from home.
Team News
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Hoffenheim have numerous injury concerns and will not be able to select defenders Florian Grillitsch, Christopher Lenz and Ozan Kabak.
Centre-backs Kevin Akpoguma and Stanley N'Soki can be expected to start behind a double pivot consisting of Anton Stach and Tom Bischof given midfielders Umut Tohumcu, Grischa Promel and Finn Becker will not be available.
Attackers Ihlas Bebou and Marius Bulter are also unavailable, and this could mean that striker Haris Tabakovic is supported by forwards Adam Hlozek, Andrej Kramaric and Jacob Brunn Larsen.
As for Freiburg, they will be without midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh until February 2025, as well as striker Chukwubuike Adamu, who is suspended
Maximilian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage are likely to start in the centre of the pitch in front of centre-backs Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart.
Michael Gregoritsch is almost certain to lead the visitors' attack, and he could be joined in the forward line by Ritsu Doan, Lucas Holer and Vincenzo Grifo.
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kaderabek, Akpoguma, N'Soki, Prass; Stach, Bischof; Hlozek, Kramaric, Larsen; Tabakovic
Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Osterhage; Doan, Holer, Grifo; Gregoritsch
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 Freiburg
Hoffenheim are unlikely to create many chances in front of goal considering their poor record in recent weeks, and it is difficult to see them threatening Freiburg given their injury absentees.
While Freiburg might struggle for periods on Sunday given their mixed form of late, they should be confident of victory and are no doubt favourites to claim all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
