Freiburg striker Mike Hanke must remain patient as he tries to earn a first-team place, as coach Christian Streich has continued with Admir Mehmedi up front against Hannover.
Vladimir Darida will play in an advanced midfield role just off Mehmedi, with the midfield solidity provided by Matthias Ginter and Gelson Fernandes.
The visiting Hannover have handed a rare start to Valmir Sulejmani, who will play alongide Mame Biram Diouf in attack for the final Bundesliga game before the winter break.
Freiburg: Baumann; Sorg, Krmas, Hohn, Gunter; Schmid, Ginter, Pilar, Fernandes; Darida, Mehmedi
Hannover: Zieler; Cherundolo, Marcelo, Hoffmann, Sane; Prib, Andreasen, Stindl, Bittencourt, Sulejmani; Diouf
