Two sides vying for a spot in European competition for next season will lock horns in the Bundesliga on Saturday as Wolfsburg play host to Freiburg at the Volkswagen Arena.
Both clubs go into the tie following 1-0 victories last week, with Wolfsburg overcoming Werder Bremen while Freiburg recorded a hard-fought win over Borussia Monchengladbach.
Match preview
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Wolfsburg recovered from their disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Frankfurt as they recorded a victory by the same scoreline over Werder to keep their European hopes well and truly alive.
Oliver Glasner's side were certainly made to work for the three points last weekend, but Wout Weghorst's 12th goal of the season means that Wolfsburg sit two points clear of Hoffenheim in sixth with four rounds of matches remaining.
Die Wolfe are 11 points behind fourth-placed Monchengladbach and it is highly unlikely that they will break into the Champions League places at this late stage, but Wolfsburg can consolidate their hold on sixth with a victory should RB Leipzig defeat Hoffenheim in Friday's clash.
Glasner will not be encouraged by his side's form form heading into the weekend, however, as Wolfsburg have only picked up one win in their last seven on home soil, with their three victories since the restart all coming on their travels.
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Following a poor set of early results after the Bundesliga returned to action, Freiburg got their campaign back on track last week with a narrow victory over Champions League hopefuls Monchengladbach.
Breisgau Brasilianer had drawn two and lost two of their last four games before Friday's win, but Nils Petersen's 10th Bundesliga goal of the season ensured that Freiburg left Borussia Park with a vital three points.
Christian Streich's side were no doubt helped by Alassane Plea's red card, but Freiburg are now only two points off the pace for a spot in the Europa League.
Should Freiburg record their second victory on the bounce this weekend, they would close the gap on Wolfsburg to just one point, but Streich has witnessed his side pick up just one win in their last 12 on the road.
Freiburg did manage to record a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg on home soil back in December, with Jonathan Schmid's late goal proving to be the difference.
Wolfsburg Bundesliga form: DWLWLW
Wolfsburg form (all competitions): LWLWLW
Freiburg Bundesliga form: WDLDLW
Team News
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Ignacio Camacho, William and Paulo Otavio all remain on the treatment table for Wolfsburg, but Joshua Guilavogui could be pushing for a start having come off the bench last week.
Renato Steffen returns from suspension and is in line to feature from the first whistle this weekend, with Liverpool-linked Weghorst set to lead the line once again with Josip Brekalo supporting him.
As far as Freiburg are concerned, Streich will be unable to Manuel Gulde as the defender struggles with a muscular injury.
Robin Koch successfully shrugged off a knock last Friday and should start here, while Janik Haberer also returned from injury to boost Freiburg's squad at this crucial stage of the campaign.
Petersen scored the winner against Monchengladbach within seconds of coming off the bench last week, and it would be a surprise to see the 31-year-old not in the starting lineup for the clash with Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Mbabu, Pongracic, Brooks, Roussillon; Steffen, Guilavogui, Arnold, Victor; Brekalo; Weghorst
Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Schwolow; Schmid, Leinhart, Heintz, Gunter; Sallai, Koch, Hofler, Grifo; Holer, Petersen
We say: Wolfsburg 1-1 Freiburg
This is a difficult one to call. Both sides will be desperate to further their charge for a spot among Europe's elite, but Wolfsburg have struggled on home turf while Freiburg's away record is nothing to write home about. As a result, we cannot separate these two sides.
Ben Knapton
