Freiburg vs Werder Bremen: probable line-ups & match stats

Out to arrest a three-game losing streak, Werder Bremen could be tempted to draft in USA international striker Josh Sargent for their trip to Freiburg on Sunday (kick-off: 3.30pm CET/ 2.30pm GMT/ 9.30am ET).

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Freiburg propelled themselves up the standings on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, but the promising patch of league form came to an end following the 3-1 loss to Mainz in which head coach Christian Streich lamented his side’s "lack of aggression and stability". The defeat came with the added cost after midfielder Nicolas Höfler was ruled out for the foreseeable future with torn knee ligaments. Up against his former club, Nils Petersen’s availability remains in doubt following a thigh injury - unwelcome news for Die Breisgauer, who are without a win in the four games their talismanic striker has missed this season.

Personnel issues up front have also been a major talking point for Bremen head coach Florian Kohfeldt. The 36-year-old felt the international break came at a "convenient time" after a run of three straight league defeats saw his side slip out of the top six for the first time since Matchday 4. For the trip to Freiburg, Claudio Pizarro is facing a race against time to prove his fitness, while Aron Johannsson’s latest ankle surgery means he "will likely to be out for the rest of the season". As a result, rising stars Johannes Eggestein and Josh Sargent may not be competing for just a spot in the match day squad, but for game time as well.

Watch: The best possible video pertaining to the game, ideally feature content unless there was a 7-goal thriller last time.

Probable line-ups

Freiburg: Schwolow – Stenzel, Gulde, Heintz, Günter – Frantz (c), Gondorf, Haberer, Sallai – Kleindienst, Niederlechner

Absentees: Borello (cruciate ligament), Höfler (knee), Kübler (thigh)

Coach: Christian Streich

Werder Bremen: Pavlenka - Gebre Selassie, Veljkovic, Moisander, Augustinsson - Bargfrede, M. Eggestein, Klaassen – Harnik, Kruse, J. EggesteinAbsentees: Bartels (ankle), Johannsson (ankle)Coach: Florian Kohfeld