The Bundesliga returns this weekend with Freiburg hosting Union Berlin at Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday afternoon. Both teams will be looking to build on recent friendly wins ahead of their first top-flight fixture of 2024.
Match preview
Freiburg’s form has been impressive in recent weeks, with three successive victories against Mainz 05, Wolfsburg, and Koln last month.
However, they suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss to Heidenheim on December 20th, preventing them from entering 2024 in the top six of the Bundesliga table.
Despite this setback, Freiburg showed their attacking prowess in a mid-season friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt, winning 5-2 thanks to goals from Roland Sallai, Vincenzo Grifo, Michael Gregoritsch, and Merlin Rohl.
At home, Freiburg has been a formidable force throughout 2023, with only RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund managing to defeat them at the Europa-Park Stadion.
The hosts have taken 11 points from their last five home contests and will be looking to continue this run of form against Union Berlin.
After a dreadful start to the season that saw them suffer 12 consecutive defeats in all competitions, Union Berlin seems to be turning things around under the guidance of Nenad Bjelica.
They head into this match following a 2-0 friendly win over Arminia Bielefeld.
Union Berlin is currently in 15th place, with Koln, Mainz, and SV Darmstadt 98 just three points behind.
While they have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, their away form has been poor, losing each of their last six Bundesliga away games. Furthermore, they have failed to score in four of their last five top-flight away contests.
Team news
Freiburg will be without attacker Ritsu Doan due to his involvement in the Asian Cup with Japan.
Midfielder Nicolas Hofler is suspended, while Christian Gunter (arm), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (ACL), Max Rosenfelder (tendon), Philipp Lienhart (groin), and Kenneth Schmidt (abdominal) are all sidelined.
Striker Lucas Holer is expected to return from illness in time to lead the line, while Yannik Keitel should replace the suspended Hofler in midfield.
For Union Berlin, Aissa Laidouni is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, while Rani Khedira is the only injury concern.
The visitors have welcomed Robin Gosens and Danilho Doekhi back to full training, while Leonardo Bonucci looks set to leave the club for Fenerbahce.
Possible lineups
Freiburg: (4-4-2)
Atubolu;
Sildillia, Ginter, Gulde, Kubler;
Grifo, Keitel, Eggestein, Sallai;
Holer, Rohl
Union Berlin: (4-3-3)
Ronnow;
Juranovic, Knoche, Leite, Roussillon;
Haberer, Kral, Aaronson;
Volland, Fofana, Hollerbach
Prediction: Freiburg 2-1 Union Berlin
Freiburg has been strong at home, and Union Berlin’s poor away form makes them unlikely to take anything from this match. We predict a 2-1 win for Freiburg, with the hosts’ attacking prowess likely to prove too much for Union Berlin’s defense.