Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who will sign off their respective Europa League group stage adventure on Thursday night, Lille will welcome Freiburg to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Lille
Starting with the hosts, while Lille might have enjoyed an eye-catching flurry on either side of opening the New Year, Bruno Genesio’s men have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Despite being sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a top-24 spot on Thursday night, the Mastiffs have come under plenty of recent scrutiny. Last seen over the weekend putting in another nightmare display as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at home against Strasbourg, Lille have the feel of a squad who are desperately searching for an essential boost. Likewise, hit with a 2-1 Europa League defeat when they travelled to Spanish outfit Celta Vigo last week, Genesio’s side have now lost all of their previous five consecutive appearances since opening the New Year by an aggregate score of 13-3.
Lille Team News
Limping off in the first-half away at Celta Vigo last week after dislocating his shoulder, Lille will be unable to call upon former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb. However, after serving a one-match European suspension over in Spain, 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi will return to Genesio’s squad here.
Not featuring since the start of December, the Mastiffs will be without ex-Everton star Andre Gomes in midweek. Bagging a consolation strike away against Celta last week, former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud should keep his spot leading the line.
Freiburg
As for the visitors, embarking on what has been a real Europa League fairytale this season, Freiburg have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent. Securing a 1-0 victory at home against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Julian Schuster’s men have already stormed their way to a knockout stage ticket and haven’t had to get out of third gear. Opening their group stage finale sat in bronze medal position, Thursday’s guests have registered 17 points from their seven European appearances and the mood in their camp remains at a red-hot high. Looking to lay down another Europa League marker on foreign soil, Freiburg have also lost just a pair of their previous 12 matchups across all competitions – a run that stems back to November 22nd.
Freiburg Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Freiburg will travel to France without the duo of Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and Austrian international Phillip Lienhart on Thursday night. However, ahead of their final group stage showdown, Schuster’s side don’t have any fresh injury concerns.
Once again finding the net against Koln over the weekend and now getting on the scoresheet in four of his previous five appearances across all competitions, Croatian starlet Igor Matanovic will spearhead Freiburg’s charge. Former Borussia Dortmund star Matthias Ginter will start at the heart of Schuster’s defence.
Lille vs Freiburg Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown in France will be the first competitive meeting between Lille and Freiburg.
- Lille have lost all of their previous five consecutive appearances since opening the New Year by an aggregate score of 13-3.
- Freiburg have also lost just a pair of their previous 12 matchups across all competitions – a run that stems back to November 22nd.
- Croatian starlet Igor Matanovic has found the net in four of his previous five appearances across all competitions.
- Freiburg’s last four showdowns on the road have produced 16 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
While Freiburg might have already stormed their way to a Europa League knockout stage ticket, the German outfit will be confident of making another European statement here. Watching Lille fall to a nightmare 4-1 drumming at home against Strasbourg over the weekend, Thursday’s hosts should be asked some serious questions at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Showing some major defensive issues, Les Douges have lost all of their first five showdowns of 2026 by an aggregate score of 13-3.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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