Verdict: Freiburg over 0.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Travelling to Spain holding a dominant advantage, Freiburg will meet Celta Vigo on Thursday evening looking to punch their Europa League semi-final spot with another statement.
Celta Vigo
Starting with the hosts, while Celta Vigo might have marked their return from March’s international break with a much-welcomed 3-2 victory away at Valencia, it appears that was just a minor boost for Claudio Giraldez’s downbeat squad. Putting in a nightmare first-leg performance on foreign soil last week as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming in Germany, the Sky Blues have come under plenty of recent scrutiny. Last seen over the weekend remarkably falling to another 3-0 loss at home against a Real Oviedo squad who sat rock-bottom of the La Liga standings, Celta Vigo have lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Including a rollercoaster 4-3 defeat against Alaves prior to March’s international break, Giraldez’s side have shipped a staggering 12 goals in just their last four outings.
Celta Vigo Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Celta Vigo will once again be without the duo of Miguel Roman and Swedish international Carl Starfelt. However, serving a one-match suspension against Real Oviedo over the weekend, Javier Rodriguez will return to Giraldez’s squad.
Veteran striker Igor Aspas could make a first start across any competition since March 19th. Now in his second campaign at Balaidos, one-time Chelsea star Marcos Alonso will start at the heart of Celta’s defence.
Freiburg
As for the visitors, putting in what was a famous first-leg performance on home soil last week, Freiburg travel to Spain on Thursday evening holding a commanding advantage. Eventually cruising their way to an emphatic 3-0 romp at the Europa-Park Stadion, Julian Schuster’s side will be dreaming of a repeat display here. Keeping up their recent flurry over the weekend as they secured a gritty 1-0 victory away at Mainz, Freiburg have impressed on either side of March’s international break. Extending on their Europa League adventure last month as they claimed a thrilling 5-1 aggregate win against Genk, Thursday’s guests have won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, Schuster’s men have registered consecutive victories on their travels for the first time this season.
Freiburg Team News
Suffering a knee injury against Bayern Munich prior to March’s international break, Freiburg will once again be without former Bochum midfielder Patrick Osterhage on Thursday evening. Likewise, academy graduate Max Rosenfelder is still sidelined with a hamstring issues.
Bagging a second Europa League strike last week, one-time Borussia Dortmund star Matthias Ginter will start at the heart of Schuster’s defence. Enjoying what has been a breakout campaign this season and attracting plenty of summer interest, 20-year-old Johan Manzambi will feature in the middle of the park.
Celta Vigo vs Freiburg Key Factors to Consider
- When Celta Vigo and Freiburg met for their first-leg showdown last weekend, Thursday’s guests stormed their way to a sensational 3-0 victory at the Europa-Park Stadion.
- Freiburg have won four of their last five appearances across all competitions.
- Schuster’s side have registered back-to-back wins on their travels for the first time this season.
- Celta Vigo have remarkably shipped 12 goals in their last four appearances across all fronts.
- The Sky Blues have failed to win any of their previous four showdowns at Balaidos (three defeats, one draw).
Conclusion
Putting in a famous first-leg performance at the Europa-Park Stadion last week as they stormed their way to a sensational 3-0 victory, Freiburg will be dreaming of a repeat display here. Looking to punch their semi-final spot with another major statement of intent, Thursday’s guests have won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Meeting a Celta Vigo defence who have continued to show a string of glaring issues, Freiburg should be excited by a trip to Spain in midweek.
Verdict: Freiburg over 0.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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