Match Information
Match Overview
SC Freiburg host FC Schalke 04 at the Europa-Park Stadion in a Bundesliga Regular Season - 5 fixture that brings together two sides on contrasting trajectories. Freiburg sit third in the table, while Schalke occupy 11th, and the gap between the two clubs this season is reflected clearly in their recent results.
Freiburg's form under Julian Schuster has been impressive heading into this match. Across their last four competitive Bundesliga fixtures they have won three and drawn one, scoring freely with a 5-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach on September 12 and a 4-1 win over Werder Bremen on August 30, before a 2-2 draw away at Eintracht Frankfurt on September 19. That attacking output, combined with their current league position, suggests a side with genuine momentum and confidence at both ends of the pitch.
Schalke, under Miron Muslic, present a tougher team to read based on recent results. Their Bundesliga form shows two draws (0-0 against SV Elversberg on September 20, and 0-0 against Bayern München on September 5) bookending a win away at Union Berlin on September 11. The draw against Bayern in particular points to defensive resilience against top-tier opposition, even if goals have been harder to come by in league fixtures. Schalke also played friendly fixtures on September 24 and October 3, which may factor into squad freshness heading into this round.
No injury absences have been reported for either club ahead of this fixture, meaning both managers should have close to full squads to select from. With Freiburg's attacking form well ahead of Schalke's league scoring output, and Schalke's deeper table position reflecting a more inconsistent campaign so far, this Matchday 5 meeting represents a clear test of whether Schalke's defensive solidity can hold up against one of the division's in-form sides.
Predicted Lineups
SC Freiburg
M. Backhaus; C. Günter, M. Ginter, P. Lienhart, L. Kübler; N. Höfler, P. Osterhage; V. Grifo, J. Beste, K. Goto; I. Matanović
FC Schalke 04
L. Karius; H. Kuruçay, N. Katić, M. Ayhan, A. Donkor; R. Schallenberg, D. Ljubičić; J. Dina Ebimbe, R. Gosens, A. Aouchiche; E. Džeko
Team Form Analysis
SC Freiburg
League Position: 3SC Freiburg Form Analysis
Our SC Freiburg vs FC Schalke 04 prediction covers the key factors in greater depth.
SC Freiburg arrive in excellent form, having won three of their last four Bundesliga matches with only a 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt on September 19 interrupting an otherwise perfect run. Their attacking output has been particularly eye-catching, highlighted by a 5-0 demolition of Borussia Mönchengladbach on September 12 and a 4-1 win over Werder Bremen on August 30. A 1-0 away win at SC Paderborn 07 on September 5 showed they can also grind out narrower results when needed. The 2-2 draw at Frankfurt did expose some defensive vulnerability away from home, conceding twice against quality opposition. Their third-place league position reflects a squad that is scoring goals freely while remaining competitive against varied opponents, from promotion-chasing sides to established Bundesliga names. Overall, the trajectory heading into this fixture is strongly positive, built on consistent attacking returns.
FC Schalke 04
League Position: 11FC Schalke 04 Form Analysis
FC Schalke 04's recent Bundesliga form has been defined by defensive solidity rather than attacking fireworks. Their last three league matches produced two goalless draws, against SV Elversberg on September 20 and away at Bayern München on September 5, sandwiching a 3-1 away win at Union Berlin on September 11. Holding Bayern to a draw stands out as a notable defensive achievement against top-level opposition, even though it came without a goal of their own. The Union Berlin result shows Schalke are capable of clinical away performances when chances arise. Their 11th-place standing reflects a campaign built on resilience rather than consistent scoring, with clean sheets a recurring theme. Heading into this match, Schalke's challenge will be translating that defensive stability into more productive attacking returns against a Freiburg side in strong attacking form.
Head-to-Head
SC Freiburg
FC Schalke 04
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-04-23 | SC Freiburg | 4 - 0 | FC Schalke 04 |
| 2022-10-30 | FC Schalke 04 | 0 - 2 | SC Freiburg |
| 2021-04-17 | SC Freiburg | 4 - 0 | FC Schalke 04 |
| 2020-12-16 | FC Schalke 04 | 0 - 2 | SC Freiburg |
| 2020-06-27 | SC Freiburg | 4 - 0 | FC Schalke 04 |
| 2019-12-21 | FC Schalke 04 | 2 - 2 | SC Freiburg |
| 2019-02-16 | FC Schalke 04 | 0 - 0 | SC Freiburg |
| 2018-09-25 | SC Freiburg | 1 - 0 | FC Schalke 04 |
| 2018-03-31 | FC Schalke 04 | 2 - 0 | SC Freiburg |
| 2017-11-04 | SC Freiburg | 0 - 1 | FC Schalke 04 |
Memorable Matches
The history between these two clubs features some emphatic Freiburg victories. On April 23, 2023, SC Freiburg thrashed Schalke 4-0, one of three separate occasions in this fixture list where Freiburg won by that exact scoreline, with similar results on April 17, 2021 and June 27, 2020. Schalke have had their moments too, including a 2-0 win on March 31, 2018. The December 21, 2019 meeting ended 2-2, showing that competitive, high-scoring draws have also featured in this fixture's history. Overall, the recent head-to-head record has leaned heavily in Freiburg's favor.
Venue Factor
The Europa-Park Stadion provides SC Freiburg with a home setting that has become synonymous with strong attacking performances, including their 4-1 win over Werder Bremen on August 30 and 5-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach on September 12, both played at home this season. The atmosphere generated by the home crowd has often coincided with Freiburg's most dominant displays in front of goal. For Schalke, this represents a trip to a ground where Freiburg have historically produced some of their biggest wins over this exact opponent, including multiple 4-0 scorelines in the head-to-head history. Traveling supporters will hope for a more resilient away performance given their recent defensive form on the road, including their win at Union Berlin on September 11.
Injury Concerns
SC Freiburg
FC Schalke 04
