Union Berlin will be looking to close the gap this week when they play host to Freiburg, with only two points separating them. The match is scheduled for Wednesday at the An der alten Forsterei, kickoff at 10:30 pm.
Though both teams are currently in sixth and fifth place, they are coming into this contest after defeats at the hands of Greuther Fuerth and Hoffenheim, respectively.
When some of the usual faces have struggled for consistency, teams like Union Berlin and Freiburg have found themselves in contention for the Champions League spots.
Nevertheless, such is the pressure to capitalize on their situations, they both succumbed to potentially costly defeats at the weekend, Union Berlin falling 1-0 to Greuther Fuerth on Saturday.
Union Berlin, who last month beat RB Leipzig 2-1, have now lost twice in three outings, leaving the club just three points above 11th position.
Christian Streich has seen his side lose four of their last five matches in the German Bundesliga.
Having thrashed local rivals Borussia Monchengladbach by a 6-0 scoreline on December 5, Streich would have had high hopes for the home fixture against Hoffenheim.
However, a last-minute goal for their opponents has led to a Freiburg defeat, leaving them occupying fifth place in the division, their lowest position since the early weeks of the season.
Union Berlin vs. Freiburg Head to Head
Both sides have seven games against each other with hosts taking 4 wins while Freiburg taking 2 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Greuther Furth 1-0 Union Berlin
- Union Berlin 1-1 Slavia Praha
- Union Berlin 2-1 RB Leipzig
- Frankfurt 2-1 Union Berlin
- Maccabi Haifa 0-1 Union Berlin
Away
- Freiburg 1-2 Hoffenheim
- Borussia M’gladbach 0-6 Freiburg
- Bochum 2-1 Freiburg
- Freiburg 0-2 Frankfurt
- Karlsruher 1-2 Freiburg
Union Berlin Team News
Fischer is unlikely to retain the same starting lineup this weekend as he did on Saturday, including handing a recall to Taiwo Awoniyi.
Rani Khedira will also be in contention for a place in central midfield, while Marvin Friedrich will be assessed after missing out through illness at the weekend.
Freiburg Team News
Striker Ermedin Demirovic is likely to be among the substitutes for the Freiburg match, meaning either Jeong Woo-Yeong or Roland Sallai will start.
If it’s Jeong, Kevin Schade will probably drop to the bench. Manuel Gulde is another option at right-back if Streich decides to change his defense.
Prediction and Odds
Despite both teams facing defeats at the weekend, we feel confident a bounce back with a share of spoils.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Both Teams to Score
