Freiburg-Bayer Leverkusen is a match in the 22nd day of the Bundesliga and is played on Sunday at 15:30: TV, formations, predictions.
This had all the makings of a thrilling clash for one of the top four places, but Bayer Leverkusen’s false start has upset the eve’s predictions. The Aspirins, due to a poor start to the season – at least as far as the league is concerned – find themselves in 11th position, with a huge gap to close to fourth place, which now exceeds double figures by a wide margin.
With Xabi Alonso on the bench – the Spanish coach took over from Gerardo Seoane last autumn – the situation has improved, but Schick and his team-mates are struggling to find the continuity they need to get the comeback going. After overwhelming Hoffenheim at home, Bayer Leverkusen suffered a home defeat against Mainz (2-3) a week ago, which again slowed their run-up to the top flight. The European adventure, on the other hand, continues to give satisfaction. Having been relegated from the Champions League at the end of the group stage, the Aspirins have just clinched one of the Europa League round of 16 passes, eliminating Monaco in one of the most exciting double-headers of the play-offs that went down last Thursday. Defeated 3-2 in Leverkusen, Alonso’s men then beat Monaco by the same scoreline seven days later in the return leg, with Matazo’s penalty shoot-out the deciding factor.
Freiburg flawless with the ‘little ones’
In a fortnight’s time Freiburg will also be involved in the Europa League. Freiburg did not have to go through any dangerous play-offs, as last November they came first in their group and directly qualified for the round of 16.
Freiburg’s Lienhart v Borussia Dortmund
The latest draw in Nyon matched Christian Streich’s side, captained by Italian Vincenzo Grifo, with Juventus: Massimiliano Allegri’s Bianconeri are between Freiburg and the quarter-finals. The recent performances against Stuttgart and Bochum, defeated 2-1 and 2-0 respectively, tell of a team in excellent health, which almost never makes mistakes with the ‘little ones’. It is precisely thanks to this continuity of performance that the Black Forest club has built up an excellent ranking. And despite having just been overtaken by Leipzig in fourth place, it remains in the Champions League fight
The Prediction
It cannot be overlooked that only last Thursday Bayer Leverkusen were on the pitch for 120 minutes. And that they therefore wasted a lot of energy. Freiburg, who have had a whole week to prepare for this challenge, can take advantage of this. The hosts should therefore avoid defeat in a match in which they will probably both score on at least one occasion.
Freiburg-Bayer Leverkusen matchday squad
- FREIBURG (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Kübler; Eggestein, Höfler; Doan, Höler, Grifo; Gregoritsch.
- BAYER LEVERKUSEN (4-2-3-1): Hradecky; Frimpong, Kossounou, Tapsoba, Bakker; Demirbay, Andrich; Amiri, Wirtz, Hlozek; Schick.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
