SC Freiburg – Borussia Dortmund
The Bundesliga returns this weekend after a turbulent international break. On Saturday, we can expect another packed conference with a total of five games. In Breisgau, it comes to a duel that has always been a constant at the start of the season in recent years. Who will prevail in the duel of the table neighbors, you can find out in our Freiburg – Dortmund tip.
If you count this season, the duel between Freiburg and Dortmund took place in nine of the last ten matchdays within the first seven matchdays of the Bundesliga seasons. Last season, for example, this duel rose on the 2nd matchday. At that time, BVB won 3:1 in Breisgau. With this victory, Borussia was also the last team to score more than one goal in an away match in Freiburg.
However, whether Dortmund will score more than one goal again in Breisgau on Saturday is more than doubtful. BVB blew the start of the season, picking up only five points against Cologne, Bochum and Heidenheim, which currently results in ninth place in the table. Freiburg, on the other hand, won their first two Bundesliga games before suffering a bitter 5-0 defeat in Stuttgart before the international break.
Freiburg – Dortmund info:
- Date & Time: 09/16/2023, 15:30 hrs.
- Game venue: Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg
- Competition: Bundesliga, 4th Matchday
- TV broadcast: Sky
Freiburg form & balance check
SC Freiburg continued their steady good work last season and trundled back into fifth place at the end of the season just ended. However, the highlight for SCF fans was definitely the round of 16 in the Europa League, where the Breisgauer met Juventus Torino.
This season, the SCF will be back on the European stage, and coach Christian Streich’s team also wants to attack the top of the league again. The first two games of the season were also very promising for SCF. Against Hoffenheim and Bremen, the Breisgau team picked up six points. However, the Freiburgers were then snapped out of their dreams during the guest game in Stuttgart, as they lost 0:5.
Atubolu grows into the role
In the previous Bundesliga season, SC Freiburg recorded an impressive run of 13 games without conceding a goal. In all of those matches, goalkeeper Mark Flekken stood between the posts for the Breisgauer. In the summer, however, the 29-year-old moved to Brentford in the Premier League. His successor comes in the form of former 2nd team goalkeeper Noah Atubolu from our own ranks.
In his first three Bundesliga appearances, however, the 21-year-old still seemed a bit nervous. But the keeper was not responsible for the five goals conceded in Stuttgart. During the international break, the goalkeeper also struggled with a minor injury, but it is not expected to prevent him from playing against Dortmund.
Freiburg facts & analysis
- In eighth place in the Bundesliga standings.
- Lost in last match with 0:5 in Stuttgart
- Only three home losses in the league in the preseason
Dortmund form & balance check
Dortmund ended the preseason with a real trauma, as Borussia squandered what they thought was already a secure championship at home to Mainz on the final matchday. In the new season, coach Edin Terzic wanted his team to attack the top of the table again.
However, the Dortmund team was less successful at the start of the Bundesliga. The narrow 1-0 win over Cologne was followed by two disappointing draws. In Bochum, BVB only created a few chances and did not manage more than a 1-1 draw. And most recently, BVB even gave away a 2-0 lead at home against Heidenheim.
The problem striker
Niclas Füllkrug became top scorer in the Bundesliga in the preseason with 16 goals for his old employer Werder Bremen. In the summer, there were accordingly several rumors for transfers at home and abroad. The transfer to BVB, however, came as a surprise to the majority of German soccer fans.
Especially since BVB had a clearly set striker in Sébastien Haller. Even though the Ivorian seemed very erratic at the start of the season on many occasions, some questions arise after the transfer of Füllkrug. The biggest loser from the Füllkrug deal, however, is probably Youssoufa Moukoko. The 18-year-old is now only third choice in BVB’s attack and will probably only make sporadic appearances in the coming season.
Dortmund facts & analysis
- In the preseason in second place in the Bundesliga table.
- Only one defeat in the Bundesliga in 2023
- Played 2-2 against Heidenheim in last game
Predicted lineup – last update on September 14, 2023
After SCF went with a 4-2-3-1 in Stuttgart, we expect a 4-4-2 again against BVB. Goalkeeper Noah Atubolu was missing from the U21 national team due to injury, but will probably be fit again against Dortmund.
Even though the system didn’t work particularly well at the start of the season, we expect BVB to play in a 4-3-3 again at Freiburg. Goalkeeper Kobel was recently absent from the Swiss national team due to injury, but will be back in the box against Freiburg. Niclas Füllkrug, on the other hand, will be out injured.
Freiburg – Dortmund direct comparison & statistics
Borussia Dortmund have won 32 of their 49 meetings against SC Freiburg so far, while the Breisgau side have only emerged victorious six times. In the previous season, Dortmund made an impressive comeback in the first leg as they turned a 0:1 deficit into a 3:1 victory. In the second leg, Borussia Dortmund clearly dominated and won 5-1 against SC Freiburg.
- Dortmund won only one of their last four matches at Freiburg.
- Both teams are neighbors in the league standings.
- In the preseason, both teams were separated by 12 points
