SC Freiburg vs. RB Leipzig: European qualification on the line | OneFootball

SC Freiburg

No matter what happens on Saturday, this season has been a massive success for Freiburg. After losing several key players in the summer, Julian Schuster has had to balance playing in both the Bundesliga and the Europa League. This final stretch shows how well he's done that, as Freiburg can clinch Conference League qualification on Saturday.

On top of that, Freiburg play Aston Villa in the Europa League Final only days later. The Europa League is not only Freiburg's chance to win a first major trophy, but it would also mean qualification for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. Despite the potential glory on Wednesday, the focus is on guaranteeing Europe against Leipzig.

Beating Leipzig will be difficult, however. Freiburg have not won against Die Roten Bullen since October 2019, and fell 2-0 to Ole Werner's side in January.

Team News:

Yuito Suzuki is the lone absence in training. The Japanese forward injured his collarbone against VfL Wolfsburg and will miss the remainder of the season.

Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Atubolu, Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Treu, Eggestein, Manzambi, Beste, Höler, Grifo, Matanovic

RB Leipzig

Leipzig head into the final day with little to play for. Ole Werner's side have already clinched third place and a Champions League spot, marking a big turnaround from last year's team, which failed to qualify for Europe. After starting the season with a 6-0 battering at the hands of Bayern Munich, this season has gone better than expected.

Leipzig are ending the season on a high, with six wins from their last seven games. Die Roten Bullen can make that seven from eight with a win over Freiburg. A win would also take Leipzig up to 68 points, which would be a club-record point tally in the top flight.

Under Werner, some players have made real strides this season. Christoph Baumgartner is one of the big winners, going from a rotation option to a key player. He has thirteen goals and eight assists heading into the final day and will look to add to that tally against Freiburg.

Team News:

David Raum will be rested against Freiburg as part of load management ahead of the World Cup. The 28-year-old has been crucial for Leipzig this season and may play an influential role for Julian Nagelsmann's side this summer.

Predicted lineup (4-3-3): Gulácsi, Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Finkgräfe, Ouedraogo, Schlager, Baumgartner, Diomande, Nusa, Romulo