Freiburg vs. Bayern Munich: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info

Freiburg will aim to take advantage of a wounded Bayern Munich on Saturday as they face the Bundesliga champions-elect at the Schwarzwald-Stadion. The relegation-battling side is currently in the midst of a five-club struggle separated by just two points and occupying spots 14 through 18 in the table. 

Bayern have nothing but pride to play for, having won the German league weeks ago. Still, having been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal and Champions League in the last two weeks and lost consecutive Bundesliga fixtures to Leverkusen and Augsburg, Pep Guardiola and company may be more motivated than it would appear to make a good impression.

The likes of Stuttgart, Paderborn, Hannover and Hamburger will be supporting Bayern, as up to three of them along with Freiburg stand to be relegated should they finish in the bottom three. Christian Streich's men finished fifth in the table two years ago, but narrowly avoided the drop last spring and face an uphill struggle if they are to remain in the German top flight for another year.

Fans can expect a spirited performance from the hosts, and if Guardiola opts to rest some starters, the Breisgau outfit will stand a real chance. However, Bayern will be keen to avoid a third consecutive league defeat and will have plenty of motivation as well.

Date: Saturday, May 16

Time: 1:30 p.m. BST, 9:30 a.m. ET

Venue: Schwarzwald-Stadion, Freiburg

TV Info: GolTV (U.S. only), Not available (UK only)

Live Stream: GolTV (U.S. only), Not available (UK only)

Form Guide 

Freiburg	Bayern
Hamburger: draw	Barcelona: win
Paderborn: loss	Augsburg: loss
Stuttgart: draw	Barcelona: loss
Mainz: loss	Leverkusen: loss
Schalke: draw	Dortmund: draw

B/R

Predicted Lineups

Saturday will offer Guardiola a chance to test some reserves and players who may not be at 100 percent in terms of form and fitness, but the trainer will likely aim for a win with a strong lineup.

Javi Martinez could make his return at center-back, and Mitchell Weiser (who was unlucky not to play a role in the Champions League after recently impressing in the Bundesliga) may start ahead of Rafinha at right-back. Juan Bernat is the only likely option on the left, while Mehdi Benatia and Jerome Boateng will be in contention for the role of second center-back. (Dante is suspended.)

In midfield, three of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xabi Alonso, Thiago, Philipp Lahm and Sebastian Rode can expect to start, while Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and (most likely) Mario Gotze will make up the attack.

For the hosts, Oliver Sorg will be missed at right-back. His stand-in will be Sascha Riether at right-back opposite Christian Gunter. Stefan Mitrovic and Pavel Krmas are the most likely central-defensive pairing ahead of goalkeeper Roman Burki.

In midfield, Julian Schuster and hard-running Vladimir Darida are probable locks in central roles, with Jonathan Schmid and Felix Klaus wide. Streich typically uses a two-striker system, and Admir Mehmedi and ex-Bayern man Nils Petersen are his first-choice pairing up front.

Players to Watch

Lewandowski and Muller were in killer form for Bayern in midweek. The latter is approaching the 20-goal-and-20-assist mark for the first time in his career, while the former has recovered from a poor start to his Bayern career and been red-hot over the last couple months.

Beyond the in-form duo, Mario Gotze is one to watch. The 22-year-old's potential is enormous, but he could be on his way out the door. Unless, perhaps, he turns it all around and displays his talent.

For Freiburg, the man to watch is Petersen, who will be keen to prove a point to the club that let him go after just one year. Elsewhere, Gunter will make an appeal for status in the German national team, while Darida is one of the Bundesliga's most industrious midfielders.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Key Battles

Nils Petersen vs. Javi Martinez

Petersen has only scored seven goals all season long, but having netted a hat-trick against Frankfurt, he's proved that he can be dangerous in front of goal. The striker will face a somewhat mentally fragile Bayern and will have no shortage of motivation as he aims to prove a point to his former club.

Martinez was meant to be a key player for Bayern this season, but a torn anterior cruciate ligament saw him miss nearly the entire campaign up to this point. The Spaniard started at center-back against Leverkusen and could well make his return to the first XI on Saturday.

Thomas Muller vs. Christian Gunter

Muller has 21 goals and 18 assists in all competition this season, making him numerically the most prolific attacker on the Bayern team. He was fiery in the Barca match and will have some steam to let off when Bayern take on Freiburg.

Facing off with Muller will be Gunter, who has already been capped for the German national team and could well become the starting left-back for Joachim Low's Mannschaft in the coming years. The 22-year-old has had a good season, but a strong showing against Muller and Bayern would be a real feather in his cap as he looks to earn a role in the German team ahead of Euro 2016.

Odds (courtesy of Odds Shark)

Freiburg: 320

Draw: 270

Bayern: -118

@Mr_Bundesliga