Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two camps who will be looking to claim their own respective first-leg advantages on Thursday night, Freiburg will welcome Celta Vigo to Germany.

Freiburg

Starting with the hosts, suffering an infamous late collapse on home soil over the weekend as they eventually marked their return from March’s international break with a 3-2 loss against reigning German champions Bayern Munich, Freiburg will be desperate to avoid showing any signs of an emotional hangover. Although Julian Schulster’s side might have extended on their Europa League adventure last month as they secured a 5-2 aggregate win against Belgium outfit Genk, Freiburg have continued to show some real inconsistencies. Winning just a trio of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes, Thursday’s hosts have also shown some extended defensive struggles. In fact, Schulster’s side have remarkably claimed just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 14 consecutive outings – a run that stems back to January 22nd.

Freiburg Team News

Not featuring since the middle of February, academy graduate Max Rosenfelder remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. However, aside from the German U21 international, Freiburg have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns.

Finding the net while away with Croatia last week and now notching four goals in as many appearances across all competitions, Igor Matanovic will be handed a full recall here. Notching a maiden Europa League strike against Genk on March 19th, one-time Borussia Dortmund star Matthias Ginter will start at the heart of Freiburg’s defence.

Celta Vigo

As for the visitors, marking their respective return from March’s international break with a rollercoaster 3-2 victory away at Valencia, Claudio Giraldez’s side will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Collecting a heavyweight Europa League scalp last month as they sent French giants Lyon packing thanks to a 3-1 aggregate win, the Sky Blues have also gained a reputation for their extended success outside of Galicia. Including a 2-1 victory against Girona on March 1st, Celta Vigo have won four of their last five showdowns away from Balaidos. Likewise, Thursday’s guests are unbeaten in all of their previous eight consecutive matchups on the road – a run that stems back to the end of January. Despite travelling to Germany pencilled in as an underdog contender in midweek, Giraldez’s men will be confident of testing a leaky Freiburg defence.

Celta Vigo Team News

Shown what was a costly late booking against Lyon last month, former Real Madrid youngster Javier Rueda will serve a one-match suspension here. Not featuring over the past month, Spanish midfielder Miguel Roman remains on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Registering four goals in his final three appearances prior to March’s international break, Ferran Jutgla will be handed a full recall on Thursday night. Arriving in at Balaidos last summer, former Bournemouth goalkeeper Ionut Radu will start between the sticks over in Germany.

Freiburg vs Celta Vigo Key Factors to Consider

• Thursday’s showdown in Germany will be the first meeting between Freiburg and Celta Vigo.
• Freiburg have remarkably claimed just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 14 consecutive outings – a run that stems back to January 22nd.
• Celta Vigo are unbeaten in all of their previous eight consecutive matchups on the road – a run that stems back to the end of January.
• Thursday’s guests have registered at least a pair of goals in five of their last six matchups on the road.
• Celta have seen six of their last seven appearances across all competitions finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Sending Lyon packing last month thanks to a 3-1 aggregate victory, Celta Vigo could be a potential Europa League dark horse in 2026. Marking their return from March’s international break with a rollercoaster 3-2 victory away at Valencia, Thursday’s guests will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Two camps who have gained a reputation for their lively outcomes, neutrals could be treated to another enjoyable Europa League battle from Germany.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet