Competition: German Bundesliga 2016-17
Date: Saturday, 4th February, 14:30 GMT
Stadium: Stadion im BORUSSIA-PARK.


Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Freiburg Preview

Ex-Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking had everything to prove as he kicked off 2017 managing the “travel-sick” Borussia M’gladbach over two matches on the road. However, last weekend’s thrilling 3-2 win away to Bayer Leverkusen means that Borussia have taken more than half as many points under his guidance (4 points from W1 D1) as they did in the entirety of 2016 (6 points from W1 D3 L12). Meanwhile, promoted Freiburg continued their strong home form (W6 L3) with a 2-1 win at home to European candidates Hertha Berlin.

Borussia M’gladbach head into this as the favourites at 8/11 with bet365. While we also fancy the host’s chances here, we feel that both teams to score at 3/4 has to be the safer bet for the following reasons: Borussia M’gladbach made an impressive comeback from 2-0 down against Leverkusen last weekend, but Hecking’s side still have a lot to work on to reach the form and consistency achieved at BORUSSIA PARK last season. Meanwhile, Freiburg have lost just one of their last five (W2 D2 L1) on the road across a difficult set of fixtures, including 1-1 draws away to Leverkusen and Schalke, so could prove tricky opponents.

Most notably, Freiburg are in decent scoring form, scoring at least one goal in all of their last eight Bundesliga matches, but have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their eight matches on the road. Consequently, both teams to score has landed in a whopping 89% of Freiburg’s away matches.

Regarding a correct score bet, Freiburg have the 5th worst defensive record in the Bundesliga and average 1.77 goals conceded per match on the road. Gladbach’s Raffael (1 goal) and captain Lars Stindl’s (2 goals) returned to form last weekend, playing side-by-side in a 4-4-2 set up, so should be prime contenders to capitalise on this. Either of them should prove decent value for an anytime goalscorer bet here at 13/10 and 2/1 with bet365 respectively. Following from the above, a tidy 2-1 home win at 7/1 also seems a reasonable shout here.

HEAD TO HEAD
Freiburg won 3-1 at home when the two sides last met in September last year. Borussia M’gladbach have won or drawn in 13 of the 15 matches at home to Freiburg (W7 D6 L2).
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH VS FREIBURG STATS

Both teams have scored in 89% of Freiburg’s away matches and 56% of Borussia M’gladbach’s home matches. 78% of Freiburg’s away matches had over 2.5 goals scored.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH TEAM NEWS


Borussia M’gladbach remain without Ibrahima Traore (winger), Tobias Strobl (defensive midfield) and Nico Elvedi (center back).
FREIBURG TEAM NEWS

Freiburg have no notable absentees to injury or suspension.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH VS FREIBURG PREDICTIONS
Both Teams to Score