Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions: Cagey clash expected between top-four rivals
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- Freiburg have boosted their Champions League qualification chances by winning their last three games
- Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid
- Recommended bet: Both teams to score - No at 59/50 with LiveScore Bet
Normal service has been resumed in the Bundesliga this season and powerhouses Bayern Munich are set to depose Bayer Leverkusen as German champions.
Leverkusen are clearly the second-best team in the division, starting the weekend 12 points clear of third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, but they face a tricky trip to Freiburg on Sunday.
The hosts are aiming for a top-four finish and a place in the Champions League for the first time in their history as they target a fourth straight league victory.
Team news
Freiburg will assess the fitness of goalkeeper Noah Atubolu while Eren Dinkci and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh are also doubts. Striker Junior Adamu returns from suspension but Bruno Ogbus is injured.
Bayer Leverkusen are missing the injured Martin Terrier, Nordi Mukiele, Mario Hermoso and Jeanuel Belocian. The in-form Patrik Schick should keep his place up front as Victor Boniface (thigh) missed training on Friday.
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The stats
Freiburg have lost seven of their eight matches against teams starting the weekend in the top six.
There have been over 2.5 goals in five of Freiburg's last six Bundesliga games.
Freiburg have won their last three league games, all of which were level at half-time.
Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 32 Bundesliga away matches.
Leverkusen have scored the first goal in 15 of their last 17 away matches in the Bundesliga.
There have been under 2.5 goals in eight of Leverkusen's last 11 league games.
Prediction
Bayern Munich have the chance to seal the Bundesliga title against RB Leipzig on Saturday so there could be a sense of anti-climax about Bayer Leverkusen's clash with Freiburg the following day.
Leverkusen have not been at their best in recent weeks, scoring in injury-time to claim a 1-0 win at Heidenheim before a goalless stalemate with Union Berlin and a 1-1 draw at St Pauli.
Manager Xabi Alonso, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, saw his side beat Augsburg 2-0 last time out but backing one or both teams not to score looks a good bet at Freiburg.
Three straight wins have powered the hosts into the top four and they are dreaming of a maiden Champions League campaign in 2025/26.
Ending Leverkusen's 32-match unbeaten run away from home in the Bundesliga will not be easy but Freiburg have lost only two of their last 12 league games.
They have kept clean sheets in seven of those matches, including 0-0 draws with Augsburg and Leipzig in March and a 1-0 win at Wolfsburg last weekend.
At the other end of the pitch, Freiburg have scored only 44 goals in 31 games – one fewer than relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel – so a low-scoring contest is expected on Sunday.
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