Fortuna Düsseldorf need another big performance from top scorer Dodi Lukebakio in Saturday’s meeting with Freiburg (kick-off: 3.30pm CET/ 2.30pm GMT/ 9.30am ET).
Latest
The 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich must feel like an eternity ago for Fortuna. Lukebakio scored a hat-trick in Munich on Matchday 12 to snatch a priceless point from the jaws of defeat, but the promoted side have fallen back into old ways since, losing 1-0 to Mainz and 3-1 to Werder Bremen. Düsseldorf have now lost a joint-league-high nine of their 14 matches this season, and face the very real prospect of being bottom at Christmas. Needless to say a positive result in Freiburg will provide Friedhelm Funkel’s men with a timely boost ahead of year-ending games against leaders Borussia Dortmund and relegation-threatened Hannover. Alfredo Morales, Rouwen Hennings and Benito Raman are all pushing for recalls.
Freiburg returned to winning ways in some style on Matchday 14, putting three past RB Leipzig without reply. Nils Petersen moved level with Papiss Cisse as Die Breisgauer’s all-time leading Bundesliga scorer with the opening goal, but was outdone on the day by current top scorer Luca Waldschmidt, who scored twice. That’s three goals against the 2018/19 Bundesliga’s meanest defence, and seven all season for the budding duo, who could spell curtains for the second-most porous unit in the division. Barring any midweek mishaps on the training pitch, coach Christian Streich will see no reason to tinker.
Watch: Highlights of Freiburg's clinical display against Leipzig.
Probable line-ups
Fortuna: Rensing – Zimmermann, Ayhan, Kaminski, Gießelmann – Zimmer, Fink (c), Bodzek, Stöger, Lukebakio – HenningsOut: Contento (knee)Doubtful: Barkok (adductor), Lovren (muscular problems)Coach: Friedhelm Funkel
Freiburg: Schwolow – Kübler, Gulde, Heintz, Günter – Haberer, Gondorf, Koch – Waldschmidt, Petersen, Frantz (c)Out: Borello (cruciate ligament), Höfler (knee), Kath (stomach), Sallai (adductor)Doubtful: NoneCoach: Christian Streich