West Ham vs Freiburg prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 20:00.
Both West Ham and Freiburg come into this final Group A UEFA Europa League (UEL) contest with the comfort of knowing their places in the knockout stages are already secure. Yet, they are locked on 12 points, and with runners up set to face Champions League sides in the knockout play-off round in spring, itâs fair to say this clash is far from a âdead rubberâ. Additionally, the game is a chance for the Hammers to make up for the shock 5-0 defeat at Fulham on Sunday which ended a run of six unbeaten competitive games (W5, D1).
Even if David Moyes opts to make changes for the clash with a tough Premier League game to follow on Sunday against Wolves, West Hamâs proud record at the London Stadium in Europe should give them the confidence needed to come out on top, with the Irons winning 12 of their previous 15 home matches in UEFA action (D1, L2) including both this season.
Freiburgâs chances shouldnât be downplayed though, and they arrive in England fresh off the back of three straight wins without conceding a single goal. That winning run started with a 5-0 demolition of Olympiacos, which remarkably was their second successive UEL win by that scoreline, having also smashed TSC on matchday four. Both those dominant wins have contributed to Freiburg netting 17 group-stage goals, a tally no UEL side can better this term.
The German teamâs matchday two defeat at home to West Ham (2-1) was their first contest against English opposition in Europe, and their only defeat in the competition so far. You could argue then that this is unknown territory for Christian Streichâs men, but just one loss from their past six away games in Europe does highlight theyâve coped well on their recent travels into enemy territories (W4, D1).
Players to watch: Goalscorer in West Hamâs 2-1 win at Tottenham last week, James Ward-Prowse comes into this final round as the player with the joint-most assists in the competition (four). His opponent Michael Gregoritsch has built on his impressive hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Olympiacos by scoring winning goals for Freiburg in each of their last two matches.
Hot stat: Freiburg have scored more than a single goal in just one of their previous seven away games (W3, D1, L3).