DFB-Pokal | Round of 16

Dec 3, 2024 at 5pm UK

SchucoArena

Arminia Bielefeldvs.Freiburg

Match preview

Arminia Bielefeld are feeling confident ahead of Tuesday's match, having already knocked out Bundesliga team Union Berlin. Despite facing 21 shots, the lower league side managed to create two big chances and restrict their opponents to just one.

The home team beat Ingolstadt 1-0 on Friday in the 3. Liga thanks to a goal from Louis Oppie in the 76th minute. This was the fifth time in the last six games that they have kept a clean sheet.

Boss Michel Kniat's side have scored 11 goals in their last nine games and are the third tier's joint 13th best offensive and best defensive side, having netted 21 times and conceded just 13 times.

Arminia Bielefeld have been on a roll recently, winning eight of their past 12 games and six of their last seven at home.

The hosts haven't won three consecutive fixtures in the DFB-Pokal since 2016-17. They've won three of their four most recent cup outings at SchucoArena, but they did lose the prior five at home.

Freiburg are just three points off third place and on track to accumulate around 56 points, 14 more than they did last term.

The visitors beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 on Saturday. While stats like xG might suggest it was a close match, the Breisgau-Brasilianer created four big chances compared to Die Fohlen's one.

Julian Schuster's team dominated the first half against Hamburger SV in terms of creating chances, but only managed to hold 43% possession against the 2. Bundesliga team. However, the winners controlled the second half.

Freiburg have scored 16 times and conceded 16 goals in the top flight, which puts them at 12th for the most goals scored and joint 5th for the fewest goals conceded in the Bundesliga.

Schuster's team are having a bit of a mixed run. They've only lost once in their last four games, but they've also been beaten in two, drawn two and won two of their last six.

Freiburg have been on a winning streak in the DFB-Pokal, taking home the trophy seven times out of nine. However, it's worth noting that they've also lost two and drawn one of their past three away matches in all competitions.

Recent Performance

Arminia Bielefeld DFB-Pokal form:WW

Arminia Bielefeld form (all competitions):WDWWLW

Freiburg DFB-Pokal form:WW

Freiburg form (all competitions):LWDDLW

Team News

It looks like Arminia Bielefeld will name a similar starting XI to the side that beat Union Berlin. So, we can expect to see a back three of Maximilian Grosser, Stefano Russo and Leon Schneider in front of goalkeeper Jonas Thomas Kersken.

Kniat might opt for Sam Schreck and Mael Corboz in midfield, with a front three comprising Lukas Kunze, Marius Worl and Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee.

Freiburg will be without midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and attacker Eren Dinkci.

It looks like the visitors will make a few changes to the team that beat Borussia Mönchengladbach. Florian Müller might come in for goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.

In other news, Likas Kubler, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart and Christian Gunter could be in the starting line-up at the back, while regular Maximilian Eggestein could be partnered by Nicolas Hofler in midfield.

Possible starting lineup

Arminia Bielefeld possible starting lineup:

Kersken; Grosser, Russo, Schneider; Lannert, Schreck, Corboz, Oppie; Kunze, Worl; Bazee

Freiburg possible starting lineup:

Muller; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Hofler; Doan, Holer, Grifo; Gregoritsch