Bundesliga: Leipzig Look to Leapfrog Freiburg in Fight for Fourth

SC Freiburg vs RB Leipzig

Freiburg and RB Leipzig are set to face off for the second time in the space of a few days. Their first meeting did not go too well for Freiburg, who were on the receiving end of a 5-1 thrashing at home in their DFB-Pokal final rematch.

Freiburg will now be fearful of suffering a similar fate as they go up against the rampaging Red Bulls again, this time in the Bundesliga.

A win would see Leipzig leapfrog Freiburg and improve their Bundesliga 2023 odds of claiming the fourth and final Champions League spot, so the stakes remain sky high.

Talking Points

Freiburg completely fold in cup final rematch

Freiburg came into their DFB-Pokal semi-final against Leipzig in fine form, with three Bundesliga wins in a row. However, that form was nowhere to be found as they were completely outclassed in a humiliating 5-1 hammering at home.

Freiburg were hit for four goals in the first half as they failed to show their trademark defensive solidity. The loss was only Freiburg’s fourth in all competitions this season; their other three came against Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.

Christian Streich will be disappointed with what he saw from his side, who have looked so strong for most of the campaign. Perhaps they are finally showing the effects of a long season – they had also made a deep run in the Europa League – while not having a deep enough squad.

Streich has a few options in terms of changes. Leading scorer Vincenzo Grifo, Ronald Sallai, and Yannik Keitel, who all came on as substitutes in the cup tie, could be inserted into the starting lineup to shake things up.

But for the most part, Streich will be hoping to see a response from his side after their humiliating home defeat, especially with a coveted spot in the Champions League very much on the line.

Leipzig’s stars returning to top form

Reigning DFB-Pokal champions RB Leipzig are back in the final of this year’s competition after their impressive rout of Freiburg in the semis.

Dani Olmo was hands down the star of the show for Leipzig as he got the opening goal and set up the next three in a dominant first-half performance. The game was a reminder that Olmo, who has been once again hampered by injuries this season, remains a special talent.

It was an offensive explosion for the Red Bulls, who had scored five goals in their previous seven away games in all competitions.

And there was more good news for Leipzig as Christopher Nkunku also got on the scoresheet for the second game in a row, a sign that the Frenchman is finally getting back to top form.

Olmo and Nkunku were both subbed off with half and hour to go against Freiburg, so they should be relatively fresh for their weekend rematch.

Moreover, Leipzig have more attacking options that they can turn to, with Emil Forsberg and Andre Silva to create some Bundesliga 2023 highlights off the bench.

Defender Josko Gvardiol was handed a straight red card against Freiburg, which will see him miss the final, but he will be available for their league meeting.

History

Leipzig’s win over Freiburg in the cup has extended their unbeaten run over the Breisgau-Brasilianer to eight straight games (5 wins, 3 draws).

Moreover, they have now won three in a row against Freiburg, although one of them was a penalty shootout win in last year’s DFB-Pokal.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Leipzig installed as 1.92 favourites to claim yet another victory over Freiburg, who are priced at 3.35 to win at home. A draw is 3.55.

The Red Bulls showed in their comprehensive cup win just how vast the gulf in talent between the two sides is. With Olmo in outstanding form and Nkunku getting back to his best,

Freiburg simply had no answers. Freiburg will likely go out and fight a bit harder to avoid another home humiliation, but with a Champions League spot on the line, it’s hard to see anything other than another Leipzig win.

 

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