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SC Freiburg vs. FSV Mainz
After the other international matches in the Nations League have been played, the ball will start rolling again in the Bundesliga this weekend after a one-week break. Before the international break, SC Freiburg drew 0-0 with TSG Hoffenheim in Sinsheim, thus playing to a second consecutive draw. Coach Christian Streich’s team had already played 0-0 against Borussia Mönchengladbach before that. Despite this result, the Breisgau side are only three points behind leaders Union Berlin. Freiburg will be looking for a win against Mainz on Saturday if they are to remain at the top of the table.
Mainz 05 earned a 1-1 draw against Hertha BSC before the international break. Coach Bo Svensson’s team was trailing 0:1 until the 94th minute, but equalised in the very last second. Mainz thus avoided their second defeat in a row and scored points after the 1:4 defeat against Hoffenheim. Read our Freiburg – Mainz betting tip to find out whether FSV will win at SC.
Freiburg – Mainz info:
– Date & Time: 01.10.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Freiburg, Europa-Park Stadion
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 8
– TV broadcast: Sky
Freiburg Form & Balance Check
SC Freiburg failed to close the gap on league leader Union Berlin before the international break. Due to FC Bayern’s current weak phase, other teams can move into the exciting league zone, which would not have expected themselves to be there after seven match days. However, Freiburg cemented that they are not underdogs in the Bundesliga last season. In the current season, coach Streich’s team is once again on course for the international places. After the 1:3 defeat on matchday 2 against BVB, Freiburg did not lose a game.
Defensive stands
Even though the Breisgauer have played 0-0 twice recently, positive conclusions can also be drawn from these draws. Once again, the SCF did not concede a goal, and in total Freiburg have already played five of their seven games to nil – a Bundesliga best! With five goals conceded, the current third-placed team has the second-best defence after league leader Union Berlin. With ten goals, Freiburg scored a full nine goals less than FC Bayern, but picked up two more points. This underlines Freiburg’s effectiveness.
Freiburg facts & analysis
– With 14 points on the 3rd place in the table.
– Played 0-0 twice in a row last time out
– Unbeaten for 5 games
Mainz form & balance check
Mainz 05 is not fish and not fowl so far this season. Coach Svensson’s team lacks consistency. A win is followed by a defeat and back to square one. After the Nullfünfer won 0:1 in Gladbach, a surprisingly clear defeat followed with 1:4 at TSG Hoffenheim. FSV responded to this result with a very weak home game against Hertha, in which Mainz fortunately scored the 1-1 equaliser in the very last second of injury time to avoid their second defeat in a row. With performances like that, the Nullfünfer will go home from Breisgau without anything worth counting.
Away a different face
The last two performances of FSV Mainz were poor. This must be said in all clarity. However, there is a statistic that contradicts this. In fact, the Nullfünfer are the second best away team this season. Before the defeat at TSG Hoffenheim, Mainz won all three away games. With nine points from four away appearances, only Freiburg scored more points away from home than the Nullfünfer. In addition, FSV have already scored six goals away from home.
Mainz facts & analysis
– With 11 points on the 8th place in the table.
– Winless since 2 games
– Second best away team with 9 points from 4 away games
Predicted line-up – last update on 29 September 2022
Coach Christian Streich is again choosing between several systems this season. The Breisgauer appear in a 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1 as well as in a 4-3-3 system. However, it is important that the SCF can play all these approaches and also convince in them. Looking at the personnel, Sallai will be out due to an orbital floor fracture. Young player Ezekwem will also be missing with a muscle tendon irritation.
Coach Bo Svensson will have to do without the suspended Hack in central defence in Freibug. His role will be taken by Widmer, who will move from the right-back position to central defence. Fernandes will therefore be deployed on the defensive right side in a 3-4-3 system. With Burkardt, an important player returns to the starting eleven.
Freiburg – Mainz direct comparison & statistics
In fact, Freiburg have not won any of their last four duels with the zero-fivers. The last time the Breisgauer welcomed FSV home, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. In addition, Mainz have already recorded 17 wins in their 44 encounters so far, three more than the SCF.
– Mainz are unbeaten in 4 games against Freiburg.
– The last home win over Mainz was 3 years ago.
– In Bundesliga history, Mainz have not won against any other opponent as often as against Freiburg.
– Both clubs have always been in the top half of the table this season.
