Bundesliga: Unexpected Top Four Contenders Duel in Sinsheim

TSG Hoffenheim vs SC Freiburg

It’s rare to see SC Freiburg over the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga standings. After the first six games of the 2022-23 season, the Black Forest have 13 points – good for second place behind leaders Union Berlin.

Their upcoming opponents in Hoffenheim are in the top four as well, placing fourth with 12 points to level with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

With valuable points up for grabs, this contest between Hoffenheim and SC Freiburg is certainly a must-see since the race to the top of the German top-flight table is getting tighter by the week already.

With another entertaining match to look forward to, continue to read on below as we preview this fixture.

Talking Points

Everyone’s pitching in for Hoffenheim

Here at SBOTOP, we previously asked on whether Hoffenheim can sustain their hot start to 2022-23, and so far they have yet to show signs of slowing down.

Die Kraichgauer continue to punch above their weight because of their collective effort. From seven different scorers two weeks ago, now they have nine.

Andrej Kramaric has been their main protagonist responsible for their early charge up the table. He has already chipped in two goals and as many assists as of this writing. Christoph Baumgartner and Munas Dabbur both have scored twice too.

On the other end of the pitch, Hoffenheim have shown improvement as they’ve only surrendered two goals in their last four matches after letting in five during their first two.

Ozan Kabak has established himself as the team’s cornerstone at the back. After some underwhelming spells at Liverpool and Norwich City, the 22-year-old Turkey international now looks at home in Sinsheim.

Michael Gregoritsch is still the difference maker for Freiburg

Michael Gregoritsch has more than made up for the absences of Lucas Holer and Roland Sallai, who remain sidelined due to their foot and eye injuries. He has formed a strong partnership up front with Vincenzo Grifo to add a new dimension to the Black Forest’s attack.

It can be noted that Gregoritsch once snubbed SC Freiburg back in 2017 when he chose to play for Augsburg instead, but he has certainly made amends.

The imposing Austrian put his team on top of Group G at the Europa League table as he recorded a brace against Olympiacos on Thursday. He now has five goals so far in SC Freiburg uniform.

He will continue to shoulder the offencive load for the Black Forest, but this is what he wanted after all when he joined them this summer.

Other than Gregoritsch, SC Freiburg, in general, have done good business in the recently concluded summer transfer window as fellow new signings Ritsu Doan and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh have all fit in seamlessly to Christian Streich’s tactics.

A top five place seems like an achievable objective for the Black Forest this season with all the weapons that they have led by Gregoritsch.

History

SC Freiburg have been solid on the road against Hoffenheim as they’ve won each of their last four games at Sinsheim. Last season at the said venue, the Black Forest pummeled Die Kraichgauer 4-1 in the DFB-Pokal and 4-3 in the Bundesliga.

Should Hoffenheim lose on Sunday, it’ll be the first time that they’ve suffered five straight home defeats against a Bundesliga opponent. Hoffenheim have also lost four straight home games against Bayern Munich (2013 to 2015) and Bayer Leverkusen (2012 to 2014).

Die Kraichgauer have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 19 meetings against their visitors, which is the longest such run against any other side that they’ve ever faced. It is also the Black Forest’s longest goalscoring streak against a single opponent.

Hoffenheim are the only Bundesliga side to have won all of their home matches so far this term, while SC Freiburg are the only club in the league to have won all of their away matches. So something has to give.

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2022 odds expect a tight affair between these two upstarts. Hoffenheim have been given the edge at 2.68, while SC Freiburg aren’t far behind at 3.55 in the 1X2 market.

Since both of them are in similar recent form, this one is a tough call. Hence, we’ll be sitting on the fence and say that Draw @ 3.50 is the likeliest scenario.

Over 2.75 @ 1.72 is another possibility since both have been trigger-happy at the final third in their recent encounters. Nonetheless, football fans will get their healthy dose of Bundesliga 2022 highlights from this fixture.

 

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