Freiburg vs Wolfsburg 28.10.2026: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Last season, these two clubs were sparring in the Bundesliga. Now, though, the roles have changed: Wolfsburg find themselves a division down, battling in the 2. Bundesliga, while Freiburg remain in the top flight. The visitors arrive for this cup clash riding a four-match unbeaten streak in the league, but the hosts are mired in a slump, having lost three consecutive matches across all competitions. Can the "Wolves" exploit their opponents' misery?

Freiburg's Crisis and Defensive Fragility

Just a couple of weeks ago, Freiburg were flying high — unbeaten and sitting atop the Bundesliga table. But the tide has turned sharply. Julian Schuster's men have now dropped three straight games in all competitions. It's worth putting those defeats into context, though: they faced Bayer Leverkusen (1:2), Bayern Munich (1:3), and Monaco in the Conference League (0:3). Only the Bayern fixture was at home; the other two came on the road. What's particularly alarming is the regression at the back — Freiburg have conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven competitive outings.

Schuster's team selection has been fluid under pressure. Before the Bayern match, he made five changes from the Monaco lineup, showing a willingness to rotate based on workload and fitness. Expect more tinkering against Wolfsburg. Compounding matters, Osterhage picked up an injury against Bayern and will sit out — the second loss in the holding midfield role, as he himself was already covering for the injured Engelhardt. The Japanese midfielder Yamamoto is the leading candidate to step into the starting XI.

Wolfsburg's Momentum and Scoring Power

Wolfsburg arrive in buoyant spirits. Tobias Strobl's side haven't lost in four league matches. The 1:1 draw with Bochum last time out was a slight setback in the standings, but they remain firmly in the promotion picture — fourth place, just two points adrift of second. Their attacking output is the envy of the division: 23 goals in nine rounds, the highest tally in the 2. Bundesliga. In three of their last four league fixtures, they've scored at least three times.

The injury list has grown by one. Defensive midfielder Viní Souza picked up a knock in the Bochum game, and if he's not fit for the cup tie, Arnold is ready to slot in. Rogerio's absence limits options at full-back, Hornby is missing up front, and Svanberg is out in midfield. The injuries to Hensele and Benedikt further strain squad depth.

Predicted Lineups: Freiburg vs Wolfsburg

Freiburg (4-2-3-1): Müller – Treu, Lienhart, Rosenfelder, Günter – Eggestein, Yamamoto – Irié, Suzuki, Grifo – Matanović

Unavailable: Osterhage, Engelhardt, Muslija (all injured)

Head coach: Julian Schuster

Wolfsburg (4-2-3-1): Wellenreuther – Kumbedi, Wäle, Kleton, Mehle – Gerhardt, Arnold – Bernhardsson, Damar, Röhse – Glatzel

Unavailable: Benedikt, Hornby, Rogerio, Svanberg, Hensele (all injured), Viní Souza (doubtful)

Head coach: Tobias Strobl

The Referee: Sören Storks

Storks is not known for leniency toward players. Across his last 20 matches in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, he has averaged 4.65 yellow cards per game and recorded 21.25 fouls per contest. In that same stretch, he has issued seven red cards and awarded four penalties — a referee who lets play develop but isn't shy about reaching for cards.

Prediction and Bet

Main prediction: Wolfsburg not to lose at odds 2.65

Several factors point in the visitors' favor. First, Freiburg's schedule is grueling — this cup tie falls between league matches against Bayern and Augsburg. Second, the personnel situation: with two holding midfielders sidelined, rotation is likely elsewhere too. Third, the last head-to-head in the league ended 1:1, suggesting these sides are evenly matched. Wolfsburg should have genuine chances to take something from this game, so backing them to avoid defeat at 2.65 looks like the value play.

Total prediction: Wolfsburg individual total over 1.5 at odds 3.00

Freiburg's defensive woes are well documented — six of their last seven matches have seen them concede at least twice. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, are the most prolific scorers in the second tier. They've netted ten times in their last four away league games, and in two meetings with Freiburg last season, they found the net four times. Expect the visitors to get on the scoresheet at least twice.