Key Takeaways
- SC Freiburg host VfL Wolfsburg in a crucial clash that could determine European qualification for the home side
- The Breisgau-Brasilianer seek to recover from three consecutive defeats across different competitions
- Wolfsburg battle to keep their survival hopes alive until the final day despite missing several key players through injury
SC Freiburg welcome VfL Wolfsburg to the Europa-Park-Stadion this weekend for a vital Bundesliga fixture. The home side currently sit in eighth position and remain in contention for a European place next season.
Julian Schuster’s squad hold 43 points, which places them level with Eintracht Frankfurt in the race for the Conference League spot. Goal difference currently favours the Frankfurt outfit, meaning Freiburg must secure maximum points to improve their standing.
The hosts arrive at this match following a difficult period across multiple tournaments. They have suffered defeats in their previous three outings. A last-minute loss to VfB Stuttgart ended their DFB-Pokal journey, whilst Borussia Dortmund handed them a heavy league defeat. Most recently, Portuguese side SC Braga beat them in the Europa League semi-final first leg.
Despite this poor run, history favours Freiburg against Saturday’s opponents. They have claimed victory in seven of their last ten league meetings with Wolfsburg. The Breisgau-Brasilianer also won the three most recent encounters by narrow one-goal margins.
Freiburg possess considerable strength on home soil, having earned 28 of their 43 points at the Europa-Park-Stadion. Their record there shows eight wins, four draws and three defeats with a positive goal difference of eight.
Wolfsburg occupy 17th position in the table with only six wins from 31 matches. The visitors cannot suffer relegation this weekend following their recent draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC St. Pauli’s defeat to 1. FC Heidenheim 1846. However, Dieter Hecking’s side must win to maintain any realistic hope of taking the survival battle to the final day.
The Wolves remain unbeaten in their last two matches, including their first victory since January. They aim to record consecutive clean sheets for the first time since early 2023.
Injuries plague both camps. Freiburg miss defender Max Rosenfelder through a hamstring problem, whilst midfielders Patrick Osterhage and Daniel Kofi-Kyereh face longer absences.
Wolfsburg’s situation appears more severe. Captain Maximilian Arnold misses the remainder of the campaign with a groin injury. The absentee list also includes Mattias Svanberg, Kilian Fischer, Cleiton Santos, Kevin Paredes and Jonas Wind. Jenson Seelt and Rogério remain doubtful, whilst Bence Dárdai will not return until pre-season training begins in July.
Between the posts, Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has kept a perfect penalty record this term, facing and saving only one spot-kick. Conversely, Wolfsburg’s Kamil Grabara has confronted eleven penalties, stopping seven efforts.
Freiburg will likely field: Atubolu; Günter, Ogbus, Ginter, Kübler; Manzambi, Eggestein; Scherhant, Suzuki, Irié; Höler.
Wolfsburg may start: Grabara; Koulierakis, Vavro, Belocian; Zehnter, Eriksen, Souza, Wimmer, Mæhle; Amoura, Pejčinović.