Bundesliga: Freiburg’s Last Chance for Fourth

Bayer Leverkusen vs SC Freiburg

Freiburg’s hopes of finishing fourth in the Bundesliga – and qualifying for the Champions League – are no longer in their own hands.

After their big loss last weekend, they are two points behind RB Leipzig heading into the final round of Bundesliga matches.

Freiburg must now beat Bayer Leverkusen, who have already secured third, away from home and hope Leipzig lose their last match away to second-from-bottom Arminia Bielefeld to finish in fourth.

The Bundesliga 2022 betting odds for this top-five clash are quite close. Can Freiburg hold up their end of the bargain in their chase for Champions League football?

Talking Points

Leverkusen ending season strong

Bayer Leverkusen are ending a successful Bundesliga season on a high note. They have won three games in a row and have already wrapped up their first third-place finish in the league in six years.

Patrik Schick has been a massive reason for Leverkusen’s success this season. The Czech striker carried his fine form from Euro 2020 into this campaign, where he has scored an impressive 24 goals – second only to Robert Lewandowski in the goal charts.

Schick has scored four goals during Leverkusen’s three-game win streak, while Moussa Diaby has added a goal and three assists.

Like his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Christopher Nkunku, Diaby has enjoyed a breakout campaign with plenty of Bundesliga 2022 highlights this year. The 22-year-old has 13 goals and 12 assists, the only player aside from Nkunku with double-digit goals and assists in the Bundesliga.

Leverkusen lost teenage wunderkind Florian Wirtz to a knee injury back in March, but another young star in Paulinho has emerged during Wirtz’s absence. The young Brazilian has scored four goals in his last seven games and will add another threat beyond Schick and Diaby.

Apart from Wirtz, Leverkusen are also without Karim Bellarabi, Jeremie Frimpong, and Amine Adli for the remainder of the season, which has limited coach Gerardo Seaone’s options.

But the Argentine duo of Exequiel Palacios (a goal and an assist in his last two games) and Lucas Alario, who scored against Hoffenheim, are capable weapons off the bench.

Freiburg games suddenly full of goals

Freiburg have had a fantastic 2021-22 season. They have been in the top five in the Bundesliga for most of the season and are in the final of the DFB Pokal for the first time ever. But they face the possibility of falling just short of making the Champions League for the first time in their history.

They threw away their one-point lead on RB Leipzig after getting smashed 1-4 by Union Berlin at home last weekend. Dortmund-bound Nico Schlotterbeck and Max Eggestein both committed costly errors which led to two of Union’s goals.

Christian Streich’s side had been one of the best defensive units this season, but they have slipped significantly in recent weeks. They have now conceded three or more goals in three consecutive games after doing so just twice all season (against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich).

Although, Freiburg had also transformed into a more free-scoring team as they’d scored three or more goals in four straight games prior to their defeat to Union.

Roland Sallai is having a strong end to the season with three goals and two assists in his last six games in all competitions. Striker Lucas Holer has also been in fine form as he’s bagged two goals in his last two games.

Freiburg remain a formidable side away from home; they are unbeaten in their last five games outside the Europa-Park Stadium, with three wins and two draws.

History

Leverkusen have had the upper hand against Freiburg in recent years with an 11-5 edge in wins and seven draws.

However, Freiburg have won each of their last two meetings 2-1. They won this fixture last season thanks to goals from Ermedin Demirovic and Lucas Holer. And they did it again in their first meeting at home as Kevin Schade scored the winner six minutes from time.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Leverkusen installed as very slight 2.36 favourites to end their season with a home win. Freiburg are pegged at 2.57, while a draw is 3.90.

Although Leverkusen don’t have much left to play for, they will nevertheless be keen to end the season winning in front of their home fans.

On the other end, Freiburg will put up a tough fight as they look to return to form ahead of their cup final against RB Leipzig next week. However, their Champions League hopes may fall just short as Leverkusen likely prevent them from winning.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.