Bayer Leverkusen – SC Freiburg
In the previous week, the last match in the Bundesliga on Sunday with the duel between Heidenheim and Augsburg did not have much charisma. However, we then witnessed a spectacular duel with seven goals. This week, on the other hand, the last duel on matchday 9 is a real top match. The two Europa League participants Leverkusen and Freiburg meet at 17:30. Whether we should expect a similarly spectacular game as in the previous week, you can find out in our Leverkusen – Freiburg tip.
And both teams were also successful in Europe during the week. The Werkself won their home match against Qarabağ Ağdam with a commanding 5:1, while SC Freiburg turned around a deficit in Serbia and ultimately won 3:1 against Bačka Topola.
In the league, meanwhile, the picture is similar. SCF is in a solid eighth place with a total of 13 points and won 2-1 against Bochum the previous week. Leverkusen, on the other hand, is doing even better than the Breisgauer and leads the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen – Freiburg info:
- Date & Time: 10/29/2023, 17:30 hrs.
- Game venue: BayArena, Leverkusen
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 9
- TV broadcast: DAZN
Leverkusen form & balance check
The Werkself’s outstanding form continues. Even though November is slowly knocking on the door, Bayer 04 is still without defeat across competitions this season. Moreover, the Werkself’s only point loss is still the 2:2 in the top match at Bayern Munich.
The previous week, however, Leverkusen struggled a bit in the away game in Wolfsburg. The Werkself had some tired players who had been away with the national team for a long time. In the end, however, they still managed a 2:1 win. In the Europa League, however, Bayer 04 was again much more confident and won against Qarabağ Ağdam with 5:1.
Grimaldo strikes a
In the preseason, coach Xabi Alonso changed his system to a 3-4-2-1 rather quickly. The results improved abruptly and especially Jeremie Frimpong on the right rail benefited from the somewhat offensive position. On the left side, however, Leverkusen kept having problems.
Both Mitchel Bakker and Daley Sinkgraven did not cope very well with the more offensive role. That’s why Bayer 04 had a new man for the left rail at the top of its shopping list in the summer. With Xabi Alonso’s compatriot Alejandro Grimaldo, Leverkusen then landed a real bull’s eye. The 28-year-old has already contributed three goals and four assists in the league and also got on the scoresheet twice on Thursday.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
- Leaders of the Bundesliga
- Won 2:1 in Wolfsburg the previous week
- Won 5:1 against Qarabağ Ağdam in the Europa League
Freiburg form & balance check
Last season, SC Freiburg finished in fifth place for the second season in a row. However, so far this season the Breisgauer occupy eighth place and have not yet been able to regain the position from the previous season. Nevertheless, the Freiburgers are represented in the upper half of the table. Last week, the SCF secured another victory.
At home in Europa-Park Stadion, SCF defeated VfL Bochum 2-1 and looked quite solid defensively. In the Europa League, the Breisgauer traveled to Serbia to FK TSC Backa Topola during the week. There, SCF turned up the heat especially in the second half and won 3:1 in the end.
Grifo in form
The match-winner for coach Christian Streich’s team was once again Vincenzo Grifo. The Italian scored all three goals for the Breisgauer. And as befits the 30-year-old, one of the three goals was a penalty and another a direct free kick.
The Freiburg winger has been known for years as an absolute expert in standard situations. So it’s not surprising that only one of Freiburg’s number 32’s six goals so far this season has come from play. And in the preseason, Grifo also scored 59 percent of his goals from a resting ball.
Freiburg facts & analysis
- Placed 8th in the Bundesliga.
- Won 2:1 against Bochum in the previous week
- The last three away games without own goal
Predicted lineup – last update on October 28, 2023
Since the Werkself rotated during the week in the Europa League, we expect the usual personnel and formation from the previous Bundesliga games to be back on Sunday. Compared to the win against Wolfsburg, we expect Kossounou and Wirtz in the starting eleven again.
At Freiburg we expect again the 3-4-3, which we have seen more often this season. Roland Sallai and Maximilian Philipp got injured in Serbia on Thursday and will probably miss out.
Leverkusen – Freiburg direct comparison & stats
In a total of 48 competitive matches between these two teams, Leverkusen decided 21 games in their favor, while Freiburg won 13 times. Therefore, the balance is clearly in favor of the Werkself. The last meeting ended 1-1 when Vincenzo Grifo and Sardar Azmoun scored in Breisgau in February.
- Leverkusen won only one of last five games against Freiburg.
- Both teams are separated by nine points in the league.
- Leverkusen wins 50% of halves, Freiburg wins 39%
