Freiburg – RB Leipzig : Preview & Prediction
Just four days after Freiburg were defeated 5-1 in the DFB-Pokal semi-final against RB Leipzig, the teams will meet once again. At stake this time are three crucial Bundesliga points for two teams looking for a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Freiburg have a two-point lead after three consecutive league wins, and with four games to play, they have already accumulated more points than in any previous Bundesliga season (56).
But last Tuesday’s drubbing at the hands of the visitors would have quickly taken the shine off that particular achievement, as it extended a dreadful run of eight meetings between the two sides without a win at any stadium (E3, P5). However, in the Bundesliga at least, they have been a tough team to beat at home, as only leaders Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have beaten them in league action at their home stadium this season (G9, E4).
Leipzig’s 1-0 win over Hoffenheim last weekend widened their gap on the sixth-placed team and continued their trend of clean sheets dating back to February 4 (G6, P5), leaving coach Marco Rose “delighted” with the three “crucial” points he felt gave them momentum ahead of their cup and league double-header against Freiburg.
He may well have been right given the one-sided nature of Tuesday’s cup match and expects the momentum to continue to build given that the Red Bulls have won just one of their last four away games in the Bundesliga (P3). Extending an unbeaten run of three matches in Freiburg (G2, E1) would see Leipzig move above their opponents in the table, so all the incentives are there for Rose’s side to pull off another win against their opponents on the road.
Players to watch: Freiburg’s Lucas Höler has contributed four goals in his last three Bundesliga appearances (two goals, two assists), and both goals were registered after halftime. Opposing striker Timo Werner is on a similar level after scoring three of Leipzig’s last eight league goals, all in the period between the 20th and 60th minute.
Key stat: Freiburg have not conceded a goal in the first half of the Bundesliga since February 11 (MT: G4, E6).
Freiburg – RB Leipzig : Betting Tips
BTS/YES Odds: 2.25
