SC Freiburg are in the hunt for the Champions League spot. Their position is fifth, just one point behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig. In order to achieve their ultimate goal, they will face Schalke 04, who currently sit in 17th place.
During the last few seasons, SC Freiburg have established themselves as a tough competitor in the Bundesliga. They are one of those teams that make the opponent fight for every ball. They have been pretty solid and compact from all angles this season, too. Their defense has conceded only 37 goals. They can, however, improve a lot in terms of goal-scoring. With only 41 goals so far this season, their attack lags far behind. With 13 goals and four assists in 27 appearances this season, Vincenzo Grifo leads their attack. Against Werder Bremen in their last game too, Grifo was the architect behind their comeback.
There hasn't been anything right for Schalke 04 this season. This season, they were one of the promoted teams, but Bundesliga seems too strong for them. With only five victories in 28 games, they are 17th in the standings. The Schalke attackers have scored the fewest goals this season, which has been Thomas Reis' main concern. The season is not over yet, and they still have time to turn things around. The team is just three points away from escaping relegation, which is totally realistic considering they still have a game to play. Their only ray of light this season has been Marius Bulter. Bulter is Schalke's top scorer this season with 9 goals in 28 appearances. He will be a big threat to Freiburg's defence especially on counters.
If SC Freiburg defeats a comparatively easy opponent, they could jump into the Champions League. Nevertheless, SC Freiburg cannot take Schalke lightly as they are an old Bundesliga horse and have all the tricks up their sleeves.
While Schalke 04 might not have a good record or a favorable league position, they certainly have a lot to gain from this match. This team is struggling to survive relegation and is currently 17th in the league. Though Schalke have shown flashes of brilliance, their leaky defense has often hindered them.
Despite the contrasting fortunes of both teams in the table, their histories have been evenly contested. There have been 21 matches between Schalke and Freiburg, and Schalke has won 8 while Freiburg has won 9. In terms of recent matches, Schalke last beat Freiburg in 2018.
Freiburg face an extra challenge as many players are out due to injuries and suspensions going into this match. They are without Eggestein and Sallai, two players who could play a crucial role in this matchup. This is especially true for Eggestein, who has been their midfield general.
The Schalke squad has nine absentees ahead of this match. Krauss is suspended while the other eight are injured. They will miss Yoshida and Brunner, who have been regular starters.
UK viewers can enjoy the streaming of this match on Sky Sports Live.
Expert Insight: Schalke 04 have struggled throughout the season and injuries in their camp haven't helped. In contrast, Freiburg is battling for a place in the Champions League and matches against lower-ranked teams are crucial for their progress.
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