#SCFB04 – Facts and stats for Sunday game at Freiburg

SuMMER, Sun, SundayS

It is common knowledge that Freiburg counts as the "sunniest city in Germany". So it is fitting the summer has made a return to the Federal Republic this weekend – temperatures are not only rising in Leverkusen but the Indian summer is also evident Freiburg. And that makes it possible for the fans to wear the short Black and Red kit for the trip to Baden. It will definitely be worth it even if the weather forecasters predict one or two drops of rain from the skies above Freiburg. The prospects are good either way. Particularly at the Schwarzwald Stadium and, above all, on Sundays. Since the start of last season, Freiburg have conceded an average of 2.8 goals per game in ten games played on a Sunday. A negative record in the league. And encouragement for the Werkself attack.

SPEcTAcULaR STREICH stringband?

It appears highly unlikely that the away game in the Breisgau will end goalless this time round. When Streich's stringband have been on song this term the fans have responded in kind. 22 goals have been scored in games involving Freiburg so far – second spot in the goalscoring rankings. The only question is, who for? And the balance is against the hosts at the Schwarzwald Stadium (9 to 13). Is the 04 goal difference  a good omen? Difficult to predict –as the Werkself defence has also proved to be suspect at times this season: Ahead of this matchday, together with Hannover 96 – and SC Freiburg – the ball has been in the back of the Leverkusen net 13 times. The equal worst return in the Bundesliga.

Sixth attempt

How wonderfully warm and hospitable the people are in the Breisgau, is probably only evident when you pay a visit to Freiburg. This city is definitely worth a visit. That does not necessarily apply to Bayer 04 as a look at the stats demonstrates: In their last five Bundesliga home games (in just about seven years) in this fixture, Freiburg have always taken something from the match. To be more exact: Since the last victory in Freiburg (1-0; October 2011) the Black and Reds have only picked up three draws and the other two encounters ended in defeat. On top of that: Freiburg kept clean sheets on three occasions. Above all, the previous home game for the Streich eleven reinforced Heiko Herrlich's warning to his team: The hosts at the Schwarzwald Stadium secured a 1-0 victory over Bundesliga runners-up Schalke 04. No wonder the Bayer 04 head coach, who played for the SC  Freiburg youth teams from 1986 to 1989, showed so much respect at the pre-match press conference on Friday. "In Christian Streich they have an absolutely passionate coach and that's the way they play as well." He is a fan too  – also of the achievements of the Freiburg coach. "It's really sensational what Streich has done with team," enthused Herrlich who also spent time with the Freiburg U19s during his coaching course.

Hope for volland

For the Werkself, Kevin Volland is set to face one of his favourite opponents: In his previous nine encounters with SC Freiburg (three games for Bayer 04, six for Hoffenheim), the 26-year-old has scored seven goals and provided three assists – that includes a brace in last season's 4-0 home win. The Black and Reds top goalscorer of last season is also the leading Werkself marksman after six Bundesliga matches this term with two goals to date. And he also chips in with assists – as with the two goals he set up in the 4-2 win against Larnaca. And in the last game on the road, the Herrlich team took all three points thanks to his two goals in the 2-1 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf. Same again please, Kevin!

please and DANKERT

Bastian Dankert from Rostock is in  charge of the meeting at the Schwarzwald Stadium. The 38-year-old FIFA match official is set to referee his 83rd Bundesliga fixture. And it will be his ninth game involving the Werkself. The last time Bastian Dankert reffed a Bayer 04 game, it turned put to be a memorable encounter: We are happy to recall last season's 5-1 win for the Herrlich team away to Borussia Mönchengladbach. And we can hope the sports scientist can again bring the Black and Reds luck. His assistants are René Rohde and Marcus Häcker, Marco Achmüller is the fourth official. Günther Perl and his assistant Florian Heft are the VAR referees.

countdown to kick-off

Both clubs were founded in 1904. To celebrate that year, let us preview the 19:04 hours (for the Werkself) ahead of kick-off: After the final pre-match training session on Saturday, Lars Bender and Co. take the hour-long flight to Baden and then onward to the team hotel. After a hopefully restful night, there will be a change from the usual communal walk and warm-up routine due to kick-off time of 13.30 CET. Instead, breakfast will be followed by a team meeting before setting off for the Schwarzwald Stadium at noon, 90 minutes ahead of the kick-off. The Werkself will play in black-red-black. The hosts will be in all white kit.

#SCFB04 – get behind THE lads

So far, so good. As usual, all Bayer 04 fans unable to be at the game can watch proceedings on the screens at the Schwadbud: Doors at the fan pub at Bay Arena open at 12.30 CET, that is one hour before kick-off in Breisgau, giving Bayer 04 supporters the chance to get together and get behind the Red and Blacks. Alternatives for following the Werkself from afar are available from club sources such as the live text commentary and Werkself Radio on bayer04.de. And you can also keep up-to-date via the Werkself social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat) via the matchday hashtag #SCFB04. So: Here we go Black and Reds, it's time to get three points in the Breisgau.