Matchday 19 of the Bundesliga kicks off this Friday when Borussia Dortmund host Freiburg at the Signal Iduna Park. The visitors have been one of the surprise packages of the Bundesliga season, currently occupying a Champions League place as they sit fourth with 30 points - a point behind third place Hoffenheim and a point ahead of fifth place Leverkusen. Freiburg are one of Europe’s most overlooked and underrated sides but they are a team with real talent and should relish their chances of qualifying for their first ever Champions League. The hosts come into this match needing a win in order to keep pace with leaders Bayern Munich. BVB are currently second in the Bundesliga with 37 points, six behind Bayern, and are coming off a thrilling 3-2 away win against Frankfurt with two goals scored in the final five minutes of the match.
Freiburg have been extremely consistent this season regardless if they are playing home or away and post the exact same record of four wins, three draws and two losses. A testament to the well-drilled, high-pressing tactics implemented by manager Christian Streich whose side remains consistent in their style regardless of opposition. Freiburg’s defensive record is actually better away from home and they have only conceded seven away goals while keeping a clean sheet in over half their matches. This is a disciplined side full of hard workers and that are intelligent in the press, leading to one of the hardest to break down sides this season. They’ll have a tough time keeping out this Dortmund team, however, as the Black-and-Yellow’s have been formidable at home this season - winning eight of their nine matches and scoring 26 times in front of their own fans this season.
Despite Freiburg’s stellar defensive record this season, the price to back both teams to score + over 2.5 is simply too good to pass up. This could very well be a highly competitive game and it wouldn’t surprise us if the visitors are able to get something from this match, but we most likely see at least a 2-1 either way in this one.