Bundesliga Final Day Preview: Europa Conference League Battle
The final fixtures of the 20/21 season will take place Saturday, with the Bundesliga’s Europa Conference League place to be decided.
What positions do the teams currently occupy?
Union Berlin currently occupy 7th place, which is the qualification place for the inaugural Europa Conference League next season. Union Berlin are looking to play in Europe for the first time in their history.
A point behind in 8th place is Borussia Mönchengladbach. Mönchengladbach will bid farewell to Marco Rose on Saturday as he leaves to take over Borussia Dortmund.
Stuttgart are two points behind Union and are looking to return to European competition for the first time since 2014.
In tenth position is Freiburg, who are looking to play in Europe again after last playing there in 2018, when they lost in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
What form are the sides in?
Union Berlin: DLWLW
Borussia Mönchengladbach: LLWLW
Stuttgart: WWLLL
Freiburg: DWLDW
What are the final day fixtures?
Union Berlin v RB Leipzig
Werder Bremen v Borussia Mönchengladbach
Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld
Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg
What are the permutations?
What do Union Berlin need to do to clinch 7th?
Very simply, if Union Berlin win, they will retain 7th place.
A draw will be enough if Borussia Mönchengladbach, Stuttgart, and Freiburg fail to win.
A loss will leave them relying on Mönchengladbach to lose and Stuttgart and Freiburg dropping points.
What do Borussia Mönchengladbach need to do to clinch 7th?
Borussia Mönchengladbach will clinch 7th if they win, and Union drop points.
A draw could secure 7th if Union lose, and Stuttgart and Freiburg fail to win.
What do Stuttgart need to do to clinch 7th?
Stuttgart needs to win to stand any chance of European qualification. If Stuttgart win, they ideally need Union to lose and Borussia Mönchengladbach to drop points. Though Stuttgart can overtake Union if they win, and Union draw but will have to bridge a 3-goal gap to overtake the Berlin side on goal difference.
What do Freiburg need to do to clinch 7th?
Freiburg need to win and ideally Union to lose, Mönchengladbach and Stuttgart to drop points. If they win and Union draw, they will need to overturn a 4-goal difference gap to finish above the Berlin side.
What is the team news for the four teams?
Union Berlin manager Urs Fischer confirmed that Union will be without Anthony Ujah, Leon Dajaku, Florian Hübner, Grischa Prömel, Joel Pohjanpalo. Robert Andrich is also unavailable due to suspension.
Möchengladbach have doubts over Ibrahima Traoré who sat out training on Thursday. Torben Müsel and Mamadou Doucouré are both out.
Stuttgart will be without Wataru Endo who is suspended after picking up five yellow cards. Mateo Klimowicz and Nicolas Gonzalez are both out for game.
Freiburg are unlikely to risk Kwon Chang-Hoon, Lino Tempelmann and Yannik Keitel for their game. Roland Sallai will miss out through suspension.
When are the games?
The final day of the Bundesliga will take place on Saturday at 15:30 local time and 14:30 BST.
