Bayer Leverkusen is on a mission to secure their fifth consecutive win in the Bundesliga as they gear up to host Freiburg this coming Sunday.
Meanwhile, the visiting team is looking to maintain their momentum after securing a 2-1 victory against VfL Bochum in their last outing.
Match Preview
Leverkusen managed to maintain their top position in the Bundesliga with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg.
Xabi Alonso’s team demonstrated their significant offensive threat with wing-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo both finding the back of the net.
Although Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix leveled the score just before halftime, Grimaldo’s brilliant strike ensured Leverkusen’s winning streak persisted, leaving them one point ahead of Stuttgart.
Yet, Alonso and his squad must remain vigilant, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund trailing closely, just two points behind Leverkusen.
The pressure is mounting as these two rivals are scheduled to play before Leverkusen’s fixture against Freiburg.
Leverkusen has maintained a perfect record in the Europa League, trouncing Qarabag FK 5-1.
Florian Wirtz, making his return to the starting XI, scored a goal within four minutes. Grimaldo added two more goals to secure a comfortable win.
These victories have placed Alonso’s team three points ahead of the Azerbaijani champions in Group H.
For the Europa League group winners, a bye into the last-16 is assured.
Alonso is undoubtedly keen to minimize his team’s schedule after the winter break, as they aim to clinch the Bundesliga title for the first time in the club’s history.
Freiburg also had a significant victory in the Europa League, defeating Backa Topola 3-1.
Vincenzo Grifo’s second-half hat-trick propelled Christian Streich’s team level on points with West Ham United in Group A.
Freiburg, competing in Europe’s secondary competition for the second consecutive season, missed out on Champions League qualification by a mere three points last season.
However, it’s unlikely this time, given the emergence of their upcoming opponents.
In their last outing, Freiburg had to come from behind to defeat Bochum, with Grifo scoring a crucial goal after Ritsu Doan canceled out Goncalo Paciencia’s early strike for the visitors.
Streich knows his team must step up their performance to avoid defeat against the in-form Leverkusen, as any loss could see them fall 12 points behind their opponents in the table.
Team News
Alonso made six changes in their recent Europa League match, with Florian Wirtz’s standout performance posing a selection dilemma.
Jonas Hofmann will likely return to the starting lineup, potentially at the expense of Amine Adli, rather than Wirtz.
Jonathan Tah, Exequiel Palacios, and Frimpong are expected to start, while Arthur and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain sidelined with thigh and knee injuries.
On the other hand, Streich maintained the same starting lineup in their last two matches, but injuries to Maximilian Philipp and Roland Sallai will force at least two changes.
Doan could move forward, offering Kilian Sildillia or Lukas Kubler a place in the starting lineup at right wing-back.
Lucas Holer and Michael Gregoritsch are competing to lead the line.
Christian Gunter, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, and Yannik Keitel are expected to miss out due to injuries.
Predicted Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen:
Hradecky;
Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba;
Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo;
Hofmann, Wirtz;
Boniface
Freiburg:
Atubolu;
Ginter, Lienhart, Gulde;
Sildillia, Eggestein, Hofler, Weisshaupt;
Doan, Grifo;
Gregoritsch
Prediction
Both teams might be fatigued after their recent Europa League endeavors.
However, Bayer Leverkusen’s deeper squad and fewer injuries could give them the edge, leading to a fifth successive Bundesliga victory and retaining their top spot in the table.
While Freiburg remains a strong team, securing a top-six finish may prove to be a challenging task this season.
- Our prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Freiburg