Both Hoffenheim and Freiburg will be competing in the Bundesliga on Sunday, with the goal of maintaining a position in the top four of the standings before the next international break.
Despite the fact that it is still early in the season, neither of these teams was projected to be in contention for a spot at the top of the standings, so this matchup could prove to be very interesting.
Match Preview: Hoffenheim vs Freiburg
Hoffenheim are fourth in the Bundesliga after winning four of their past five matches under new coach Andre Breitenreiter. Die Kraichgauer haven’t finished in the top six since 2016 and 2018, placing ninth last season.
Breitenreiter appears capable of returning them to European qualifying despite a big transfer profit. Hoffenheim appear more solid defensively than in previous years, while maintaining their attacking danger.
Alexander Hack’s expulsion at halftime reduced Mainz 05’s prospects of averting loss, even if Andrej Kramaric missed the next penalty. Three other goalscorers compounded Mainz’s anguish after the Croatian broke the stalemate.
Under Breitenreiter, nine different Hoffenheim players have scored, thus Freiburg must limit all goalscoring routes on Sunday. Freiburg can carry a punch, but not in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Union Berlin leapfrogged Christian Streich’s team into first place in the Bundesliga, while their opponents moved just one point behind them and may overtake them on Sunday.
Freiburg has had a great start to the season domestically and in the Europa League, which they qualified for by placing sixth and reaching the DFB-Pokal final for the first time.
Thursday’s 3-0 success against Olympiacos gave them two wins from two in Group G as they attempt to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in Streich’s 11-year reign.
They must immediately return to league business on Sunday to retake top position if Union Berlin loses to Wolfsburg earlier that day.
Team News: Hoffenheim vs Freiburg
On Sunday, Hoffenheim will still be missing Kevin Akpoguma, Ihlas Bebou, Ermin Bicakcic, and Philipp Pentke, all of whom have sustained injuries.
With his defense playing so well right now, headed by the in-form Ozan Kabak, Breitenreiter likely won’t make any changes to his starting lineup for Saturday’s game against Freiburg.
Meanwhile, Roland Sallai is anticipated to miss further time for Freiburg after suffering an eye injury against Bayer Leverkusen, so Ritsu Doan will likely continue to fill in for him on the right wing.
When facing Greece on Thursday, Streich did not make any alterations to his starting XI, but he may decide to switch out Daniel-Kofi Kyereh for Jeong Woo-yeong in attack for a new look.
- Players Might Start for Hoffenheim: Baumann, Kabak, Vogt, Akpoguma, Skov, Promel, Geiger, Angelino, Baumgartner, Kramaric, Rutter.
- Potential Freiburg Starting XI: Flekken, Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Hofler, Doan, Jeong, Grifo, Gregoritsch.
Our Prediction: Hoffenheim 1-1 Freiburg
It should be a fascinating tactical struggle between two sides who are playing with a lot of confidence since both clubs come into this match in fantastic form recently.
As a result of the fact that neither team has conceded many goals as of late, we can reasonably anticipate a low-scoring draw, which would almost definitely be to the satisfaction of both managers going into the international break.
