Juventus vs Freiburg prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-03-08 20:00.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri called for his team to âbe calmâ following Sundayâs Serie A 1-0 defeat to Roma, in which they hit the woodwork three times and saw Moise Kean sent off less than a minute after being substituted on! That ended a seven-match unbeaten run (W6, D1) which had helped them progress to the UEFA Europa League (UEL) last 16 so theyâll be searching for an immediate response as they host Freiburg.
With the domestic title out of reach after their 15-point penalty for financial irregularities, this is one of Juventusâ two remaining chances of silverware this term along with the Coppa Italia. Their chances may be boosted if they can maintain the calmness Allegri has requested, as theyâve never lost a UEL home match (W5, D7), whilst theyâre unbeaten in their last four home matches against German opponents (W2, D2).
But Freiburg cannot be taken lightly as theyâre on a five-match unbeaten run themselves (W3, D2), although they couldnât take advantage of ten-man Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend (D 0-0). Head coach Christian Streich described parts of the match as âhecticâ before admitting he was happy with the goalless draw in the end.
Sitting fifth in the Bundesliga and therefore in contention for another crack at Europe next term, this is Freiburgâs first ever foray into springtime European competition and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the first time theyâll have faced Italian opposition before. However, theyâre unbeaten in three UEL away games this term (W2, D1), including a notable 4-0 win over Nantes â thatâs one goal more than Juventus managed against the same opponents in France last month.
Players to watch: Ăngel Di MarĂa has scored four goals across Juventusâ last four games, including a hat-trick to see off Nantes. Freiburgâs Italian winger Vincenzo Grifo will be looking to have a similar effect against some of his international team-mates, with four of his last six club goals arriving before the 30th minute.
Hot stat: Juventus have lost just one of their last 12 home games played on a Thursday (W7, D4).