21 October 2021, 16:51 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Bundesliga Matchday 9 fixture, VfL Wolfsburg vs. SC Freiburg, kicks off at 14:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday, October 23, at the Volkswagen Arena.
Preview VfL Wolfsburg Bundesliga, Oct 23, 2021
Preview VfL Wolfsburg will return to Bundesliga action following their 3-1 defeat to RB Salzburg on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League. Last weekend, Wolfsburg picked up a 2-0 defeat to Union Berlin at the Alte Forsterei on Bundesliga Matchday 8. Taiwo Awoniyi (49’) continued his superb form, following his international debut for Nigeria’s Super Eagles during the break, as he placed Union in the lead with a fine finish. Questionable goalkeeping saw Wolfsburg with a two-goal deficit with eight minutes left on the clock after a header from Sheraldo Becker (82’) found its way into goal. With three consecutive defeats in a row, WDLLL, Wolfsburg remains in 6th place, having picked up 13 points after 4W, 1D, & 3L. A goal ratio of 1.12 goals per game leaves Wolfsburg with 9 goals after 8 Bundesliga games. The club has also conceded 10 goals (1.25 goals conceded per game) and has a goal difference of -1. The string of defeats leaves Mark van Bommel with plenty of pressure, knowing the opposition remains unbeaten on the home front, alongside Liverpool, AC Milan, and Napoli, when speaking of the big-five leagues in the European top-flight division. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Lukas Nmecha in attack is expected against SC Freiburg on Saturday. A plague of knee injuries leaves Bialek, Schlager, and William out of this fixture, while Gerhardt (foot) remains in doubt. Wout Weghorst’s name has not been included in the squad sheet for this fixture.
Preview SC Freiburg Bundesliga, Oct 23, 2021
Preview Left without continental football, Freiburg will return to Bundesliga action following the 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig at the newly opened Europa-Park Stadion last Saturday. Freiburg's Philipp Lienhart brought one of the reds down in the box, leaving Emil Forsberg (32' P.) with the opener from the penalty spot after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. However, Matchday 8’s Man of the Matchday, Wooyeong Jeong (63'), restored parity with a fine header three minutes after the hour on the clock. The draw leaves Freiburg unbeaten (DDWWD) and in 4th place on the Bundesliga table, having picked up 16 points from 4W, 4D, & 0L. Speaking of the numbers, the club has 12 goals in eight Bundesliga games. An average of 1.5 goals per game. In addition, the Breisgau Brazilians have conceded 6 goals so far (0.75 goals-per-match), in the length of the current season, and hence, have a goal difference of +6. Christian Streich could adopt the defensive 5—4—1 formation against Wolfsburg on Saturday, with Höler in attack. On availability, Sallai (knee) remains in doubt for Wolfsburg, while Schmid continues to struggle with match fitness.