Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
The first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie between West Ham United and Freiburg ended in controversy, with Freiburg securing a 1-0 lead. The match was marred by a questionable decision that denied West Ham a late penalty.
Now, as they return to the London Stadium for the second leg, the Hammers will be determined to overturn the deficit and secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as the home crowd rallies behind their team.
On the other hand, Freiburg will aim to maintain their advantage and advance to the next round. They will be prepared for a tough battle against a motivated West Ham side.
West Ham
The clashes between Freiburg and West Ham in the 2023/24 Europa League have seen the English side come out on top twice in the group stage. However, Freiburg managed to exact a measure of revenge in their recent encounter at the Europa-Park Stadion, securing a late victory with a goal and subsequent denying of a penalty claim that left West Ham feeling aggrieved.
Despite their disappointment, West Ham showed resilience in their recent Premier League fixture against Burnley, battling back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw. This result extended their run of picking up points in the league to seven from their last nine matches.
However, West Ham’s defensive record has been less impressive, with the team conceding goals in their last 11 matches across all competitions. Nonetheless, their home form in European competitions has been solid, with victories in their last 10 European home games.
As they prepare to face Freiburg once again at the London Stadium, David Moyes’s team will be eager to rectify their previous defeat and secure passage to the next round of the competition.
Team News
The absence of Emerson Palmieri due to a groin injury has been a concern for West Ham, and his availability for the upcoming fixture against Freiburg remains uncertain. Additionally, Maxwel Cornet is expected to continue his spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Following a sluggish first-half performance in their recent Premier League match against Burnley, Moyes may opt to make several changes to the starting lineup. Kalvin Phillips, who endured a difficult start at the London Stadium and was substituted at halftime, could be one of the players to make way. The manager may also reintroduce key players such as Lukasz Fabianski, Kurt Zouma, and Edson Alvarez to strengthen the team for the Europa League clash.
Freiburg
Freiburg’s journey in the Europa League this season marks a significant milestone for the club, as they aim to reach the quarterfinals of a major continental competition for the first time in their history. Despite their relative lack of European success in the past, Freiburg’s recent performances have been impressive.
In the 2022/23 Europa League campaign, Freiburg reached the knockout stages but were eliminated by Juventus. However, they have shown resilience in the Bundesliga, securing commendable results against the likes of Bayern Munich and achieving victories like their recent triumph over VfL Bochum.
Currently sitting eighth in the Bundesliga, Freiburg’s success in the Europa League could be their ticket back to European competition in 2024/25. Their away form in Europe has been solid, winning five of their last nine games on the road in the competition.
Despite their recent scoring form and positive results, Freiburg face a tough challenge against West Ham, especially considering their previous loss to the English side in December. However, they will aim to maintain their recent momentum and secure a favorable result to progress in the tournament.
Team News
Matthias Ginter, who recently returned from injury, was substituted before the end of the match against Bochum with an injury concern, but his condition is not considered serious. However, Jordy Makengo and Noah Weisshaupt were absent due to illness and a knock, respectively. They join several other players, including Philipp Lienhart, Kenneth Schmidt, Max Rosenfelder, and Daniel Kofi-Kyereh, who are recovering from various issues. Lienhart has resumed training after his groin injury.
Despite Michael Gregoritsch’s impressive goal-scoring record in the Europa League this season, it’s unlikely that he will start in the upcoming match. Lucas Holer is expected to start, with Gregoritsch potentially featuring as a substitute, considering the importance of the second leg against West Ham.
Conclusion
It’s clear that West Ham will come into the second leg with a strong determination to overturn their first-leg deficit and secure progression to the next round. They’ll likely aim for a more explosive start compared to their recent performances, especially considering the importance of the European competition.
Freiburg, on the other hand, have shown their attacking prowess and will certainly pose a threat to West Ham’s defense. However, West Ham’s offensive firepower could prove decisive in this crucial match, especially if they manage to perform at their best.
Overall, it’s expected to be an intense and closely contested match, but with home advantage and the motivation to make amends for their first-leg loss, West Ham may have the edge to secure victory and advance to the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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