Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Searching for a much-welcomed Bundesliga boost on Sunday afternoon, Borussia Dortmund will welcome Freiburg to Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund
Starting with the hosts, while Borussia Dortmund might have all but mathematically booked another Champions League ticket, Niko Kovac’s side have endured a downbeat fortnight in rural Germany. Last seen falling to a 2-1 loss away at Hoffenheim, BVB have suffered consecutive Bundesliga defeats for the first time this season. Despite still opening this weekend’s fixtures sat in silver medal position, Dortmund are searching for some defensive stability. While Kovac’s side might have entered March’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 victory at home against Hamburger, Sunday’s hosts have mustered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last nine straight outings across all competitions. Likewise, BVB have recorded just a sole domestic clean sheet in front of their own supporters since the middle of February.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Limping off against Hoffenheim last weekend after sustaining a first-half knee injury, Borussia Dortmund are expected to be without German international Niklas Sule here. One-time Liverpool midfielder Emre Can remains on the sidelines with his own respective knee injury and won’t play any part on Sunday.
Coming off the bench and bagging what turned out to be a consolation Bundesliga strike last week, leading marksman Serhou Guirassy should be handed a full recall. Likewise, despite announcing that he will be leaving rural Germany at the end of the season, Julian Brandt could also be handed an immediate return.
Freiburg
As for the visitors, although Freiburg might have suffered major DFP Pokal heartbreak earlier in the week as they eventually fell to a last-gasp 2-1 loss away at Stuttgart, Julian Schuster’s side have rightfully enjoyed a string of plaudits from across the continent. Making real history this month as they punched their Europa League semi-final ticket thanks to a sensational 6-1 aggregate victory against Spanish outfit Celta Vigo, Sunday’s guests have shattered plenty of long-standing records this year. Likewise, last seen in Bundesliga action securing a 2-1 win at home against Heidenheim, Freiburg have won three of their previous four top-flight appearances and they should be excited by a trip to Signal Iduna Park this weekend. Snatching a 1-1 stalemate when they welcomed BVB to town for their reverse Bundesliga battle in December, Schuster’s men will ask some real questions.
Freiburg Team News
Once again missing out against Stuttgart in midweek, one-time Borussia Dortmund youngster Patrick Osterhage remains on the sidelines with a knee injury. However, aside from the 26-year-old, Freiburg have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns.
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation DFP Pokal strike away at Stuttgart in midweek and now notching back-to-back domestic goals, Maximilian Eggestein will start in the middle of the park. Notching 12 goals across all competitions in his maiden campaign at the Europa-Park Stadion, Croatian international Igor Matanovic will lead the line here.
Borussia Dortmund vs Freiburg Key Factors to Consider
- When Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg met for their reverse Bundesliga showdown back on December 14th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Europa-Park Stadion.
- Dortmund are unbeaten in all of their last eight straight meetings against Freiburg (seven wins, one draw).
- BVB have suffered consecutive Bundesliga defeats for the first time this season.
- Borussia Dortmund have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- Freiburg have recorded just a sole Bundesliga clean sheet on their travels since way back on November 1st.
Conclusion
Suffering consecutive Bundesliga defeats for the first time this season, Borussia Dortmund could be bracing themselves for another tricky test here. While Freiburg might have suffered major DFP Pokal heartbreak away at Stuttgart earlier in the week, Sunday’s guests have shattered a string of records this month. Storming their way to a famous Europa League semi-final ticket as they stormed past Celta Vigo thanks to a remarkable 6-1 aggregate victory, we could be treated to another enjoyable showdowns this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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