Freiburg vs West Ham prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-06 20:00.
Freiburg clawed their way into the UEFA Europa League last 16 by mounting a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to beat Lens 3-2 after extra time last month, but that remains their only win across their last eight games (D3, L4). Hoping for another inspirational performance on the European stage, their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich on Friday â also salvaged via a late strike â should also give them a significant lift.
As they prepare to host West Ham in the last 16, theyâll be seeking revenge as the Londoners are the last side to beat them in Europe at home when they prevailed 2-1 in the group stages. But the Breisgau Brazilians responded well to that setback by finishing the group stage with two 5-0 wins here, and that late turnaround against Lens at the Europa-Park Stadium shows they can never be counted out.
West Ham manager David Moyes declared that his side go to Freiburg with confidence after beating Everton 3-1 on Saturday, their second-straight Premier League win following an eight-game winless run in all competitions (D4, L4). After H2H wins home and away helped them top the group, Moyesâ confidence may not be misplaced given they won their last three European games âto nilâ.
That should put the travelling Hammers fans in a happy mood, although they should expect a tight encounter as five of their last six Europa League away games were decided by one-goal margins (W3, L3). This part of the world hasnât historically been kind to the 2022/23 Europa Conference League winners either, because Octoberâs H2H win was their first in European competition in modern-day Germany (D1, L3).
Players to watch: Michael Gregoritsch scored Freiburgâs extra-time winner against Lens, meaning each of his last five goals arrived after the 65th minute. Edson Ălvarez completed the scoring for West Ham against Freiburg in December (W 2-0), doing likewise against Everton on Saturday.
Hot stat: The side scoring first has won eight of West Hamâs last nine Europa League games (West Ham: W6, L3).