Top European football action continues on Thursday as we leave the excellence of the UEFA Champions League behind and dive into the excitement and drama of the Europa League. Thursday brings the Round of 16 from UEFA’s second-string tournament, and we have seven games on the schedule, kicking off between 17:45 and 20:00 GMT. You can watch the best the evening has to offer live on TNT Sport and the best live-streaming apps, but which game will you decide to follow?
The match that caught our eye pairs Germany and England as the Bundesliga hosts the Premier League in the first leg. Freiburg enjoys the home advantage when welcoming West Ham United. The Germans will aim to win and take an advantage to East London in seven days’ time, but will they get the desired result? The Hammers aren’t in the best form, but Europe seems to do something special to David Moyes’ troops.
Renewed rivalries
The draw for the Europa League Round of 16 threw up a few surprises, not least when pairing Freiburg and West Ham after the pair shared Group A. Freiburg finished as the runners-up in the pool, with their stats of four wins and two defeats, earning them a dozen points. Freiburg finished three points behind the pool winners West Ham and clear of Olympiakos in third and bottom club Backa Topola. They’re here on merit and will enjoy another crack at the Londoners.
In the German Bundesliga, Freiburg hasn’t matched the high expectations of its fans. The team entered this season hoping to push for a top-six finish and a spot in Europe again next season, but that’s looking increasingly unlikely with the passing of each poor result. The home team is currently stuck down in ninth place in the Bundesliga and has taken just two of the last 15 points available following two draws and three defeats in their previous five games. They must leave their league woes at the door and concentrate on beating West Ham.
Hammers nailed it
West Ham United were fantastic in the Europa Conference League and started their Europa League adventure in style. Moyes’ team finished in pole position of Group A with their form showing five wins against one defeat with ten goals scored and just four conceded. They went close to an unbeaten campaign, and after finishing three points clear of Thursday’s opponents in the group, Hammers fans will feel their side has a chance of going through.
Bet hereThey may have enjoyed a fantastic run in Europe, but things aren’t going too well for West Ham in the Premier League. The team playing at the former London 2012 Olympic stadium is seventh in the league after three defeats and two wins in their last five games. They lost all three games on the bounce before scoring back-to-back wins in their last two. Has the team from East London finally turned a corner this season?
Freiburg vs West Ham prediction
This promises to be a thrilling game from Germany, and it could go either way, with both teams having strong claims on the win. Freiburg needs the victory to ensure they don’t have to go chasing a win in London next week, while West Ham want to ensure the tie remains live when returning home. If they can avoid a heavy defeat in Germany, West Ham will fancy their chances of beating Freiburg in Stratford and progressing to the next round.
West Ham won home and away against Thursday’s opponents in the Europa League group stage. The English side secured an impressive 2-1 win at this venue back in October before adding another three points with a 2-0 home win. Four goals scored in two recent meetings with Freiburg and just one conceded suggests the Hammers should have enough to secure a valuable advantage in this tie.
Europa League odds
Are you ready to enjoy this game? You may plan to watch it live on television and fancy making a prediction on the result. 22Bet members can gamble on the game by picking sides in the match-winner market. Back Freiburg for the victory at odds of 2.53, or place your trust in West Ham at 2.75. The draw will net you 3.47.
There’s plenty to keep members of 22Bet entertained in the match specials. You can study the form and make your findings fit the both teams to score market, total goals, handicap, first goalscorer, and more. There’s something to suit every bettor in this game, and you can secure your odds now.
Make sure to bet on Freiburg vs West Ham with 22Bet!
Bet here
