SC Freiburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach: Bundesliga Prediction & Preview

After a convincing 4-1 win over Union Berlin, Borussia Mönchengladbach continue their push for a Champions League spot as they travel to take on an out-of-sorts SC Freiburg.

Fourth-placed Monchengladbach are jostling with Bayer Leverkusen for the fourth spot. With Die Werkself slated to face Bayern Munich on Saturday, tonight will be a good chance for Die Fohlen to gain a three-point advantage in the standings.

Current Form

SC Freiburg have had a mediocre run since the Bundesliga resumed. Christian Streich’s men are yet to win since the league resumed on May 16 having lost two and drawn two. In their last five Bundesliga games, Breisgau-Brasilianer have only taken three points once.

Streich’s men suffered a one goal loss to Bayer Leverkusen last week. Kai Havertz’s strike proved to be the difference maker as Leverkusen bagged three points.

Borussia Monchengladbach have had better fortunes than Freiburg since the restart. Still, Marco Rose’s side has been streaky. They have won two, drawn one and lost one since the league resumed – the defeat coming to Leverkusen at home. In their last five games, Die Fohlen have won three, drawn one and lost one.

Monchengladbach gave in a scintillating performance last week as they put four past Union Berlin in a 4-1 win. Marcus Thuram stole the show with a brace and by taking a knee to draw attention to George Floyd’s death at the hands of a policeman in Minneapolis, MN.

SC Freiburg form: WDLDL [Last five Bundesliga games]

Monchengladbach form: WWLDW [Last five Bundesliga games]

Last Time Out

Borussia Monchengladbach were 4-2 winners in the reverse fixture at Borussia Park in December 2019. Thuram opened the scoring in the third minute with Patrick Herrmann and Breel Donald Embolo adding to the goals. The latter scored a brace in the game.

For Freiburg, Jonathan Schmid and Lucas Holer’s strikes were not enough.

At the Schwarzwald-Stadion, Borussia Monchengladbach have come up short in eight of their last nine attempts. In recent history, they’ve been better, winning the last three games against Freiburg in all competitions. Rose’s men have also been formidable away from home, being undefeated in their last five games on the road.

Team News

Manuel Gulde is a key player who is likely to miss out for Freiburg. The center-back has been ruled out due to a muscle problem. Robin Koch also has a minor back issue but will be able to play a part tonight.

Freiburg will be boosted by Gian-Luca Waldschmidt’s return to fitness as they have relied on his attacking play this season (five goals in 18 games). Defensive stalwart Chris Gunter has also returned from a muscle injury.

Denis Zakaria is one of the important men who’ll be missing out for Borussia Monchengladbach. The Swiss dynamo is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery. Fabian Johnson is also ruled out with a muscle injury.

Monchengladbach veteran Raffael is in doubt for this game after undergoing a foot injury. Embolo hobbled off the pitch in the win over Union Berlin.

Tony Jantschke has returned to the side after serving a suspension and you can expect the German defender to be part of the squad tonight.

Key Battles

Dominique Heintz vs Marcus Thuram

With 10 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga, Marcus Thuram is having a breakout season. The son of French legend Lillian has formed a deadly partnership with compatriot Alassane Plea with the duo contributing to 38 goals for Die Fohlen.

Dominique Heintz has been a mainstay in Freiburg’s defense but Gulde’s absence will affect the understanding at the back. Phillip Leinhart is a competent defender but he’s not good enough to make Freiburg’s XI. Therefore, there will be a bigger onus on Heintz to keep Thuram and Plea at bay.

Nils Petersen vs Matthias Ginter

Modern football emphasizes a lot on ball movement with players switching positions seamlessly. Seeing an old-fashioned aerial battle, thus, has become a novelty.

Nils Petersen up against Matthias Ginter is a call-back to a forgotten era where strikers and defenders engaged in a physical battle, especially with the former being an excellent aerial player.

Petersen has been Freiburg’s most potent attacker this season and Ginter is Monchengladbach’s defensive anchor. Die Fohlen’s defense has been leaky this season so you can expect Petersen to cause problems.

Prediction

Freiburg have had Monchengladbach’s number at the Schwarzwald-Stadion but on current form, the visitors look to be in better shape.

In terms of table position, both sides are looking for a European birth. 

Monchengladbach at fourth are toe to toe with Leverkusen with a +4-goal difference working in Gladbach’s favor.

Freiburg, with 38 points, sit at the eighth position. They are four points behind TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and can still catch up to book a Europa League Qualifying Round spot.

You can be assured that both teams will not be complacent in this game.

On assessing squad quality, you have to give the edge to Monchengladbach. Plea, Thuram and Florian Nehaus bring in some superb attacking quality which will overpower Freiburg’s defenses. The home side, however, will definitely trouble Monchengladbach’s defense which has only kept one clean sheet in their last 11 Bundesliga matches.

Predicted scoreline: SC Freiburg 1-2 Borussia Monchengladbach