Preview: Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Freiburg - prediction, team news, lineups

Borussia Monchengladbach take on Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the hosts able to leapfrog their forthcoming opponents in the table with a victory.

The visitors have overperformed their expectations this season, currently occupying eighth place as they look to finish in the top half of Germany's top flight for the fifth time this century.

Match preview

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Having lost seven successive matches in all competitions, Marco Rose could not have asked for a better fixture to end that barren run than a trip to Schalke 04 prior to the international break.

That is exactly how it proved on the day, too, with Marcus Thuram's excellent burst of pace down the left flank creating Lars Stindl's clinical opener after Schalke's defence inexplicably failed to clear their lines.

Gladbach continued to dominate the proceedings, enjoying 71% possession throughout the encounter, with Stefan Lainer doubling the visitors' lead after the hour mark by heading home at the near post from Jonas Hofmann's corner.

Nico Elvedi's header was amateurishly carried over the line by opposing goalkeeper Fredrik Ronnow to put any doubts about the result to bed, but Gladbach will need to prove themselves against stronger opposition - starting with Freiburg on Saturday - before they can consider their blip to be over.

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Indeed, Freiburg became only the seventh Bundesliga team so far this season to take their league winning tally into double figures by beating Augsburg 2-0 last time out.

Christian Streich's side were the more progressive throughout most of the match, threatening to take an early lead in a goalless first half, before a superb weaving run by Christian Gunter opened up space for the full-back to create Roland Sallai's well-placed opener.

It was the sort of individual quality which Gunter has produced on a consistent basis from left-back in recent seasons, making it all the more surprising that the 28-year-old was snubbed once again by Joachim Low in his latest Germany squad.

As expected, Augsburg rallied in response, with Rani Khedira's fizzing effort from distance forcing a fine stop by Rafal Gikiewicz.

However, central defender Philipp Lienhart's fourth league goal of the season wrapped up an important three points with 11 minutes of normal time remaining, but Streich's side will need to avoid defeat in Monchengladbach on Saturday to guarantee remaining in the top half of the table.

Team News

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Gladbach will be without Ramy Bensebaini due to suspension after the left-back picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Schalke, so Oscar Wendt is likely to come into the XI.

Hofmann tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with Germany so may be forced to miss out, with Valentino Lazaro unable to come into the side for him due to a thigh problem. Breel Embolo and Hannes Wolf will compete to come into the XI.

Freiburg, meanwhile, will travel without their suspended captain Nicolas Hofler after the midfielder received his 10th caution of the season against Augsburg.

Nils Petersen missed the match against Augsburg having tested positive for COVID-19 and may not be included once more, with the trip to Monchengladbach coming too soon for Lukas Kubler, who is recovering from a knock.

Jonathan Schmid and Janik Haberer are the most likely options to come into the side in place of Hofler and Kubler.

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Wendt; Kramer, Neuhaus; Wolf, Stindl, Thuram; Plea

Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Muller; Schmid, Lienhart, Gulde, Gunter; Sallai, Santamaria, Haberer, Grifo; Holer, Demirovic

We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Freiburg

We expect Gladbach to have gained some confidence by ending their losing run against Schalke last time out, but it may not prove enough to beat a stubborn Freiburg side.

It is likely to be an evenly-contested game; Gladbach clearly have more attacking firepower, but Freiburg are slick in transition and have the tools to hurt the hosts.