West Ham vs Freiburg predictions: Germans gunning for Group A top spot
- Both teams have scored in three of West Ham’s last four Europa League home matches
- Freiburg have scored a competition-high 17 goals in their opening five group games
- Recommended bet: Freiburg or draw double chance
With the two sides locked on 12 points at the top of Europa League Group A, it promises to be an exciting spectacle when West Ham host Freiburg in east London on Thursday night.
Both teams will be eager to take top spot and earn a bye into the round of 16 and, with the Hammers battling a sickness bug and low on confidence after a 5-0 thrashing at Fulham, it may be the German visitors who take the points at London Stadium.
Team news
The severity of the aforementioned sickness bug in West Ham’s squad is still unknown. Edson Alvarez was absent at the weekend and Emerson was only well enough to make the subs bench against Fulham.
Both could recover and start this match, but others may have picked up the illness and those unlucky enough to be affected would join Alphonse Areola, who is potentially nearing a return, and Michail Antonio on the sidelines.
In contrast, Freiburg have no injury concerns and Christian Steich could name an unchanged side from their weekend success at Wolfsburg, with the in-form Michael Gregoritsch expected to lead the line.
The stats
Both teams have scored in three of West Ham’s last four Europa League home matches.
Freiburg have won their last two away matches without conceding, while West Ham have won their last nine home matches in European competitions.
The visitors have registered three consecutive clean sheets, while Freiburg have scored a competition-high 17 goals in their opening five group matches.
Lucas Paqueta has scored in three of his last four Europa League appearances.
Prediction
West Ham’s place at the top of this section could be under real threat on Thursday.
The Hammers’ defensive frailties were on full show at the weekend when conceding five without reply to Fulham, and if the sickness bug has spread further round the squad, they could run into trouble against a free-scoring Freiburg.
The visitors are the top scorers in this season’s Europa League, scoring 17 times in five matches, and they have recorded 5-0 victories in their last two group games.
Their last two results in the Bundesliga have been 1-0 away wins, highlighting their strength at the back and they should not be underestimated by the Hammers.
However, West Ham have carved out a reputation as European specialists in recent years – reaching the semi-finals of this competition in 2022, landing the Europa Conference League last term and winning their last nine home matches in continental tournaments – so covering the draw could be a smart play.
A point would be enough for the Hammers to top the group and they could settle for that as they look to expend as little energy as possible with a busy festive period ahead.
Freiburg rate the likelier of the two sides to take all three points, but a draw is possible with West Ham unbeaten in their last four home matches, so take the away side in the double chance market.
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