Bayer Leverkusen vs. Freiburg preview: Reigning champions hoping to continue red-hot form

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen have been in scintillating form since they returned from the November international break, putting together a seven-game winning run in all competitions. Die Werkself kicked off that run with league wins against Heidenheim and Union Berlin, either side of a 5-0 Champions League victory against Red Bull Salzburg. They went on to beat Bayern Munich and St. Pauli in the DFB-Pokal and league respectively, before they recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Xabi Alonso’s charges enjoyed another successful outing in last Saturday’s away clash against Augsburg, claiming all three points to take advantage of Bayern’s defeat against Mainz. Martin Terrier and Florian Wirtz grabbed a goal apiece to clinch a 2-0 away victory, moving second-placed Leverkusen to within four points of leaders Bayern. 

After maintaining their unbeaten away league record, Leverkusen will now return to BayArena with hopes of going seven consecutive home games without defeat in the Bundesliga. The hosts collected a couple of narrow wins in last season’s two meetings with Freiburg, including a 2-1 victory in their home clash in October 2023.

Team News

Alonso is without the injured trio of Jonas Hofmann, Amine Adli and Victor Boniface.

Freiburg

Freiburg will head into the weekend in fifth position after winning seven, drawing three and losing four of their 14 league games. They have proven to be tough to beat in recent times, having lost just one of their previous six Bundesliga matches. Their sole defeat in that period took place on November 23 when they fell to a heavy 4-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund.

They ultimately bounced back to collect seven points from their last three league matches. Julian Schuster recorded a 3-1 home win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, before they played out a 1-1 away draw against Hoffenheim. Freiburg then survived a late fightback to claim maximum points in their recent home meeting with Wolfsburg. Lukas Kübler netted a brace, before Michael Gregoritsch found the net to give Freiburg a three-goal lead just past the hour mark. Jonas Wind and Mattias Svanberg grabbed a goal apiece to give Wolfsburg some late hope, but Freiburg ultimately saw out the nervy final moments to clinch their third win in four home league games.

They will look to carry that form onto their travels, having failed to win any of their previous four Bundesliga away matches since they beat Werder Bremen on October 5.

Team News

Freiburg are unable to call upon Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who is still on the comeback trail from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.