Freiburg vs Juventus – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our Europa League Predictions, we take a look at Freiburg’s visit to Turin. A 1-0 lead is a narrow one to take to a side who are unbeaten in 15 home games. Close game? Read on with our Freiburg vs Juventus prediction.

Freiburg vs Juventus Match Preview

Domestically, Freiburg have done relatively well this season. Indeed, they come into this game in decent form – they have won four and drawn two of the previous seven league matches, with their only defeat in this run being a 5-1 hammering away to Dortmund. Taking this result out of the equation, Freiburg have scored ten and only conceded four in the other six matches. They sit in fifth with 45 points after 24 games, identical to Leipzig and Union Berlin in the two places above them, and are in the mix to participate in the Champions League for the first time next season.

At the Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg are good. They beat Hoffenheim 2-1 there at the weekend. They have only lost once there this season (again against Dortmund, in their first home game of the Bundesliga). They were also undefeated in the Europa League group phase as they finished top of their group. Therefore, they will feel confident about overturning the deficit from the first leg.

Juventus travel to Germany in good form in Serie A. Indeed, they have won five of their last six league matches, scoring 14 and conceding five. A 4-2 victory at home to Sampdoria (including a Rabiot brace) was the perfect preparation for this second leg. The only blip on this run was a 1-0 loss away to Roma before the first leg.

Juventus have been quite good away from home in Serie A, with six wins and two draws in 12 games. It was a different story in the Champions League, where they lost all three games on their travels and conceded eight. The fifteen-point deduction imposed on the club for financial breaches has left them in seventh, ten points off Milan in fourth, so their best (and maybe only) route to the Champions League next season is winning this competition.

Juventus dominated the first game and were arguably unfortunate not to win by more than one. A beautiful header by the in-form Di Maria in the second half (from a Kostic cross) sealed the victory. The Old Lady had an xG of 2.04 compared to a non-existent 0.05 for Freiburg. Juve also had 20 goal attempts compared to just one. Therefore, Juventus will be annoyed that they don’t carry a more comprehensive lead to Germany, especially as Freiburg tend to be good at home.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Freiburg:

Might Not Play: Leinhart, Ginter, Ezekwem

Will Not Play: Kyereh

Juventus:

Might Not Play: Jorge, Bremer, Bonucci, Di Maria, Chiesa

Will Not Play: Sandro, Pogba, Milik

Freiburg vs Juventus Lineups (Predicted)

Freiburg (3-4-3 / 3-4-2-1): Flekken; Leinhart, Ginter, Sildillia; Gunter, Hofler, Eggestein, Kubler; Grifo, Gregoritsch, Doan

Juventus (3-5-2): Szczesny; Rugani, Bremer, Danilo; Kostic, Rabiot, Locatelli, Fagioli, Cuadrado; Vlahovic, Di Maria

Our Prediction

Juventus have several players doubtful for this match, including defenders Bremer and Bonucci. Di Maria’s status is also still being determined. However, Bremer and star man Di Maria will probably make it. The Argentinean has been in scintillating form recently. If he can work his magic through his dribbling, passing, and shooting, then Freiburg could be in trouble in this second leg.

Juve will look to Kostic and Cuadrado at wing-back (if they start) to deliver crosses and cut-backs for Vlahovic. The tall Serbian is a good target man, though he has been out of form recently. Di Maria will traverse the hole behind him and look to pick up little pockets where he can cause damage. Fagiolo and Rabiot will build play and support the attack when they can, while Locatelli protects in the holding role.

Freiburg will likely line up in their 3-4-3 / 3-4-2-1 system, and they will pose more of a threat than they did in the first leg. We think Doan and Greogritsch could come in, though Holer and Sallai could start. The wingers, Doan and Grifo, are fast and tricky and will look to take on the Juventus players in wide areas and come inside onto the three centre-backs to shoot or deliver crosses. Kubler and Gunter will supplement them from wing-back. Whether Holer or Gregoritsch starts up front, they must take any chances created as Freiburg need to win this game.

The match is challenging to predict. Freiburg are strong at home, but Juventus are (to state the obvious) a bigger club with more European experience. Max Allegri has the stronger team on paper. Christian Streich’s men can take confidence from their home record and will be hopeful of forcing extra time at the very least. However, we see Juventus scoring. Freiburg could win by one goal and take the game beyond the ninety minutes, but we will go for a draw and Juventus’ name to be in the quarter-final hat.

Freiburg 1-1 Juventus

Freiburg vs Juventus Betting Tip – Draw Odds: