Bundesliga: RB Leipzig Hoping to Catch the Top Four Bus

SC Freiburg vs RB Leipzig

Because Bayer Leverkusen are likely to win the Bundesliga trophy this season, attention now turns to the intensifying top four race since there are only 11 matchdays remaining in the 2023-24 campaign.

Joining Bayer Leverkusen in the top four are Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart, and Borussia Dortmund, while RB Leipzig are trailing by only three points and are lurking in fifth.

RB Leipzig had a minor setback when they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Mainz, but they can get back to winning ways when they visit SC Freiburg on Saturday.

SC Freiburg are also fighting for a spot in Europe next season, and they are coming off a 3-0 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach. However, they are playing catch-up because they are eighth in the standings with 36 points.

Talking Points

Christian Streich’s last hurrah for SC Freiburg

After 12 years in charge, Christian Streich announced that he will leave his post at SC Freiburg at the end of the season, with former skipper Julian Schuster succeeding him this season. With Streich departing the Black Forest soon, another trip to Europe is going to be the perfect parting gift for his supporters.

SC Freiburg’s recent trip to Europe didn’t go as planned, as they were eliminated by West Ham United in the Europa League Round of 16 with an aggregate tally of 5-1, so now they turn their full attention to the Bundesliga.

An upset victory over RB Leipzig would certainly do them favours since their six remaining matches are against teams that are in the bottom half of the German top-flight standings, giving them ample opportunities to tack on more points.

But if SC Freiburg are to achieve their main objective, they must find a way to get Vincenzo Grifo going because he hasn’t scored a goal since late February. The Italian international is the team’s joint-leading scorer alongside Michael Gregoritsch, with 11 goals this year.

But on the other hand, Ritsu Doan has picked up his production lately after scoring two goals in his last two appearances. The Japanese winger currently has six goals and three assists this season and is capable of creating Bundesliga 2024 highlights.

Big contract decisions looming for RB Leipzig

Regardless of where they end up this season, RB Leipzig will have some tough roster decisions to make this summer since they are in danger of losing three of their key players.

Because of the impending departure of Kylian Mbappe, PSG are likely to keep Xavi Simons next season, but RB Leipzig are keen on keeping him on a permanent deal. This season, Simons has recorded nine goals and a team-high 11 assists.

RB Leipzig have offered Benjamin Henrichs a lucrative contract extension since he’ll be out of contract soon, while the team is tempted to cash in on Dani Olmo since he has caught the eye of rival European clubs.

Sporting director Rouven Schroder said that he plans to keep these three players, but nothing is set in stone just yet.

History

RB Leipzig won 3-1 against SC Freiburg in the reverse fixture last November as Xavi Simons, Lois Openda, and Christoph Baumgartner scored for the Red Bulls, while Merlin Rohl netted for the Black Forest to prevent a clean sheet.

Marco Rose’s side is unbeaten in 10 games against SC Freiburg in all competitions (W6, D4). SC Freiburg’s last win over RB Leipzig was a 2-1 result in October 2019, when Julian Nagelsmann was still at the helm for the Red Bulls.

SC Freiburg are winless in their last four Bundesliga home matches (D2, L2), which is their longest such streak at home since September to December 2020. In the said period, Christian Streich’s men have conceded 11 goals to their opponents.

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2024 odds have RB Leipzig winning on the road, as they are priced at 1.67, while SC Freiburg are 4.17 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.82 odds in the 1X2 market.

RB Leipzig have yet to suffer a loss against SC Freiburg in quite some time, and we feel that such a trend will continue this weekend, making our recommended bet the safest one for our SBOTOP bettors.

In case you’re regularly counting the goals, then check out Total Goals 2-3 at 2.10, Total Goals 4-6 at 2.58, and Over 3.00 at 1.87.

Meanwhile, SC Freiburg supporters may be rooting for a goalless draw or a 1-0 win for the Black Forest since it has higher offers of 18.50 and 17.00, respectively.

 

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