Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting their Europa League knockout stage adventure underway on Thursday night, West Ham will travel over to Germany when they meet Freiburg.
Freiburg
Starting with the hosts, while Freiburg might have edged their way past Lens last month as they extended on their Europa League adventure, Christian Streich’s men have struggled to find any kind of stability since opening the New Year. Almost sat in Bundesliga limbo and mustering just a single win across any format since getting 2024 underway, the Reds have also gained a reputation for their extended issues at the back. Despite snatching a dramatic 2-2 stalemate against German giants Bayern Munich over the weekend, they have shipped at least a pair of goals in eight of their last nine outings. Likewise, failing to win any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions within 90 minuets, Freiburg should also be concerned by their most recent showdowns against Thursday’s guests. In fact, Streich’s men lost both of their two Group A meetings against West Ham this season by an aggregate score of 4-1.
Team News
All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Freiburg will once again be without the likes of Kenneth Schmidt, Max Rosenfelder, Philipp Lienhart and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh. Likewise, missing out against Bayern Munich over the weekend with a hip issue, Lukas Kubler remains a real doubt on Thursday night.
Notching four Europa League goals in his seven appearances this season, Hungary international Roland Sallai will spearhead Freiburg’s charge here. Handed a rest over the weekend, 29-year-old attacker Michael Gregoritsch should be handed a full recall.
West Ham
As for the visitors, while West Ham might have opened the New Year in the midst of a real wobble, David Moyes’ men have certainly claimed a welcomed boost over the past week. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they stormed their way to a turnaround 3-1 victory away at Everton, the Hammers will be smelling a golden opportunity to mount another genuine European charge in 2024. Making real history last season as they were crowned Europa Conference League champions, the one-time Manchester United boss is desperate for his squad to find some welcomed stability. Still dreaming of the chance to clinch another top-six finish among England’s elite this season, West Ham have certainly gained a recent reputation for their lively outcomes. Hit with an infamous 6-0 drumming against London rivals Arsenal on February 11th, Moyes’ men have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their last nine straight outings.
Team News
Dealing with a recent thigh injury, West Ham have confirmed that they will travel to Germany on Thursday night without the services of Ivory Coast international Maxwel Cornet. However, aside from the former Burnley star, the Hammers have reported a clean bill of health here.
Notching 14 Premier League strikes this season and continuing to receive a string of plaudits, England international Jarrod Bowen will spearhead Moyes’ charge in midweek. Summer recruit Konstantinos Mavropanos should once again partner Kurt Zouma at the heart of West Ham’s defence.
Key Factors to Consider
When Freiburg and West Ham met during the Europa League group stage this season, the Hammers won both of their battles by an aggregate score of 4-1.
West Ham have collected back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since opening 2024.
Freiburg have failed to muster a single victory from any of their previous eight appearances within 90 minutes.
England international Jarrod Bowen has scored 14 goals in his 26 Premier League appearances this season.
West Ham have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine straight appearances.
Conclusion
Clinching back-to-back group stage victories against Freiburg this season, West Ham will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage when they travel to Germany on Thursday night. However, while the Hammers might have turned a recent corner, Moyes’ men have continued to show some extended defensive issues. It should also be noted, with the midweek hosts seeing all of their previous five showdowns at the Europa-Park Stadion finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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