Freiburg – West Ham : Preview & Prediction
Freiburg fought their way into the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League by pulling off a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to beat Lens 3-2 after extra time last month, but that remains their only win in their last eight matches (E3, P4). Hoping for another inspiring performance on the European stage, their 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich last Friday (thanks to a late goal) should also give them a significant boost.
As they prepare to host West Ham in the round of 16, they will be looking for revenge, as the London side are the last team to beat them at home in a European tournament, when they prevailed 2-1 in the group stage. But the “Breisgau Brazilians” responded well to that setback by finishing the group stage with two 5-0 wins here, and that agonizing comeback against Lens at the Europa-Park stadium shows they can never be counted out.
West Ham manager David Moyes said his side arrive in Freiburg in confident mood after beating Everton 3-1 last Saturday, their second consecutive Premier League win after a run of eight games without a win in all competitions (E4, P4). After home and away wins helped them top the group, Moyes’ confidence may not be misplaced given that his side won their last three European games without conceding a goal.
That should put the Hammers’ fans in good spirits, although they should perhaps expect a close encounter, as five of their last six away games in the Europa League have been decided by one-goal margins (G3, P3). Historically, this part of the world has not been kind to the winners of the Europa Conference League 2022/23 either, because the victory in that October clash was the first in European competition in the current Germany (E1, P3).
Players to watch: Michael Gregoritsch scored Freiburg’s extra-time winner against Lens, meaning each of their last five goals came after the 65th minute. Edson Alvarez scored West Ham’s last goal against Freiburg in December (G 2-0), and did the same against Everton on Saturday.
Key stat: The team that scored first won eight of West Ham’s last nine Europa League games (West Ham: G6, P3).
Freiburg – West Ham : Betting Tips
Draw Odds: 3.25
