Bundesliga match-day five gets underway this evening as Thomas Tuchel’s free-scoring Dortmund side face a topsy-turvy Freiburg side, at the Signal Iduna Park.
The record runners-up last season, Borussia Dortmund started their Bundesliga campaign this season unconvincingly and were pondered a lot of question over the credentials of this newly minted young squad, especially after the 1:0 against Leipzig. However, Dortmund have proved all the critics wrong in the subsequent games and head coach Thomas Tuchel will be looking to continue his side’s impressive goalscoring form.
Dortmund have now scored 17 goals in their last three games all competitions while conceding just one in the process. They also have 12 different goal scorers in those last seventeen goals which just shows the fact that everyone has been a key component for the Black and Yellows this season.
In their last match, Dortmund swooped aside a clumsy Wolfsburg side 5:1. Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was on fire after being rested last weekend against Darmstadt as he scored a brace and new signings Ousmane Dembele, Raphael Guerreiro also found the net while veteran right back Lukasz Piszczek scored after more than two years.
It will no doubt be a tough ask for Christian Streichs men as Dortmund are still unbeaten at home under Thomas Tuchel and are on the verge of breaking the previous unbeaten streak of 24 games.
Freiburg, on the other hand, are experiencing a very up and down start to the season, winning two and losing two of their four games this season.
Freiburg worked hard for a narrow win over a struggling Hamburg side on Tuesday, registering their second win of the season. Die Breisgauer themselves are on an impressive run at home and the win over HSV in midweek set a new club record of eight consecutive home wins.
However, they will be coming up against a side who they have lost ten consecutive away games with. So, Christian Streich’s men will be well aware of their opponent while keeping his side’s ambition intact as they he aims big after their return back to the Bundesliga.
Team News
As always, Thomas Tuchel faces an array of injuries ahead of the clash. Marco Reus has now finished his rehabilitation training after his injury but far from fit to start the game. Lack of centre backs might be a big issue for Tuchel, as key CBs such as Sven Bender, Never Subotic and Marc Bartra will all miss out due to injuries. Olympic silver medalist Matthias Ginter is all set to partner Sokratis against his former club.
Andre Schurrle is also doubtful for the game which may hand Dembele another start after impressive in his last few appearances for Dortmund.
The visiting side will also be without a few key players for the game as well. Centre backs Marc Oliver Kempf, Marc Torrejon and Jonas Fohrenbach will all miss the due to long term injuries.
However, Florian Niederlechner, who is loaned from Mainz, featured against Hamburg last week so he will likely be an option for Christian Streich on Friday evening.
Head to head stats
- Dortmund are currently on an 11 game winning streak against Freiburg in Bundesliga since 2010.
- At home, Dortmund are on an 8 match winning run, which lost one of their last 12 in all competitions.
- Dortmund have scored at least three or more goals in the last five matches at home against Freiburg at home.
Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund: (4-1-4-1 formation) Roman Bürki; Lukasz Piszczek, Sokratis, Matthias Ginter, Marcel Schmelzer; Julian Weigl; Mario Götze; Gonzalo Castro, Raphael Guerreiro, Ousmane Dembele; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
SC Freiburg: (4-3-3 formation) Alexander Schwolow; Pascal Stenzel, Marvin Gulde, Caglar Söyüncü, Christian Günter; Nicolas Höfler, Janik Haberer, Vincenzo Grifo; Maximillian Philipp, Florian Niederlechner, Mike Frantz.
Prediction: Dortmund 4:0 Freiburg
