Freiburg vs RB Leipzig prediction: GERMANY: DFB Pokal betting tips on match 2023-05-01 18:45.
Revenge may be on the minds of Christian Streich and his Freiburg side this week after losing out to RB Leipzig in last season’s DFB-Pokal final. They will meet once again but this time at the semi-final stage, and with just two points separating these two sides in the Bundesliga, this game could be as tense and tight as their race for the Bundesliga’s final Champions League qualification spot, especially after both teams picked up nine of the last 12 available points.
More than three hours of play has passed since Freiburg last conceded a goal, although they’re likely to see that run end here if their DFB-Pokal form is any indicator as both teams have scored in eight of Freiburg’s last nine DFB-Pokal encounters. In fact, five of those games required extra time or penalties to find a winner, suggesting spectators at the Europa-Park Stadion could be in for a long evening.
Last season’s cup success was Leipzig’s first major trophy, and boosted by the potential psychological advantage that may grant, the Red Bulls have an opportunity to rattle Freiburg ahead of a crucial top-four Bundesliga shootout between the sides this coming weekend! The omens are strong for such an outcome if one considers that the only blemish on Leipzig’s DFB-Pokal record across the last 16 games was against the 2021 winners, Dortmund (W15, L1).
Marco Rose’s men have also lost just one of their last 15 cup clashes on the road, with six of their current eight-game winning away run in the competition coming without reply. The Red Bulls consequently enter this clash as favourites, although a run of four defeats across their last five away games in all competitions, and a paltry 36% win-rate as pre-match Bundesliga favourites away from home (W5, D4, L5), may serve to temper expectations.
Players to watch: Freiburg’s talented Ritsu Dōan has made goal contributions in his last two appearances (G1, A1), yet has lost all three personal meetings with Leipzig. Looking to extend that losing H2H streak will be Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku; the Frenchman scored his first goal since returning from injury at the weekend and also netted in last year’s cup final!
Hot stat: Freiburg have won just one top-flight game when starting as outsiders this season (W1, D3, L6).