Preview: Freiburg vs FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

Freiburg's unbeaten Europa League record will be on the line when they face visitors Dutch visitors FC Utrecht at Europa-Park Stadion on Thursday.

With four points from their first two games, the Bundesliga outfit come into the clash in 10th place, whereas their 33rd-placed opponents failed to pick up any points in that period and lost 1-0 against Brann on October 2.

Match preview

The hosts came from behind against Bologna to draw 1-1 on October 2, a match in which they were wasteful in the final third, netting just once despite producing over two xG, three big chances and seven shots from the middle of the penalty area.

Julian Schuster's men also held Eintracht Frankfurt to a 2-2 stalemate on Sunday, extending their unbeaten streak to seven fixtures, with his side winning three and drawing four times.

The club have drawn four consecutive games leading up to Thursday's clash, scoring and conceding four goals, whereas they had netted eight times in their prior three outings.

Breisgau-Brasilianer are 10th in the Bundesliga with nine points from seven games, five points fewer than they tallied at the same stage last season.

Freiburg's record at Europa-Park Stadion is positive given they are undefeated in their last four at the ground, getting the better of their opponents twice, though they failed to win their past two at home.

FC Utrecht were unable to produce a single big chance when they faced Brann, and they have in fact produced the fewest shots on target per match (two) of any of the 36 teams in the Europa League so far.

The visitors are eighth in the Eredivisie with 13 points from nine league fixtures, 10 points fewer than at the corresponding stage in 2024-25.

Utreg have improved considerably in the final third of late, scoring seven times in their last four matches, more than they had in their prior six (six).

However, Ron Jans has overseen five losses, one draw and one victory in his seven most recent games as boss, with his side conceding on 10 occasions.

Utrecht's away form has room for improvement given they head to Europa-Park Stadion having lost three successive outings on the road.

Freiburg Europa League form:

Freiburg form (all competitions):

FC Utrecht Europa League form:

FC Utrecht form (all competitions):

- L
- L
- D
- L
- L
- W

Team News

Freiburg midfielder Patrick Osterhage is a doubt due to a knock, and if he is unavailable, then Johan Manzambi will come into manager Schuster's plans, especially as he started against Frankfurt.

Junior Adamu will hope to add to his tally of two goals if he is selected on Thursday, though he will need wingers Vincenzo Grifo and Jan-Niklas Beste to provide support.

Supporters can pencil centre-backs Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart into the lineup, with the duo set to shield shot-stopper Noah Atubolu.

Utrecht have injury doubts of their own, and if number 10 Victor Jensen is not declared fit to return from his hamstring issue, expect Gjivai Zechiel to feature behind striker Sebastien Haller.

Former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal started against Brann, and perhaps he will partner Alonzo Engwanda in a double pivot.

Freiburg possible starting lineup:

Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Manzambi, Grifo; Adamu

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:

Barkas; Horemans, Didden, Viergever, El Karouani; Engwanda, Iqbal; Rodriguez, Zechiel, Blake; Haller

We say: Freiburg 1-0 FC Utrecht

Utrecht fans will be concerned considering their side have not travelled well in recent matches, whereas the hosts have been difficult to beat.

Freiburg created a number of opportunities against Bologna, but unless they are more clinical this time around, Thursday's contest is sure to be a close affair.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.