Freiburg vs Celta Vigo Preview: Predictions, Team News, Lineups
Freiburg will host Celta Vigo in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at Europa-Park Stadion on Thursday. The two-leg winner advances to face either Braga or Real Betis in the semi-finals.
How each side reached the last eight
Freiburg topped their league-phase group with five wins, two draws and one defeat from eight matches. They recovered from a 1-0 first-leg deficit to beat Genk 5-1 at Europa-Park Stadion in the round of 16.
This marks Freiburg’s first appearance in a European quarter-final. Their last European meeting with a Spanish opponent was a double 2-0 defeat to Sevilla in 2013-14.
Celta Vigo went via the knockout-playoffs after finishing 16th in the league phase. They beat PAOK 3-1 on aggregate and then eliminated Lyon, drawing 1-1 at Balaídos before winning 2-0 in France.
Javi Rueda and Ferran Jutgla scored in the Lyon second leg. That match included an early red card shown to Moussa Niakhate.
Recent form and context
Freiburg arrive having lost 3-2 at home to Bayern Munich. Bayern scored twice in stoppage time to complete their comeback.
The German side have won nine successive European home matches since a 2-1 defeat by West Ham in the 2023-24 group stage. That run gives them strong home momentum.
Celta won 3-2 away at Valencia in their latest league match. That result lifted them to sixth, one point behind Real Betis in fifth.
The Galicians target their first Europa League semi-final in nine years. They have lost two of their last three UEFA matches played in Germany, with one draw.
Team News
Freiburg will be without Max Rosenfelder through injury. Jordy Makengo and Patrick Osterhage remain doubts after missing the Bayern game.
Lucas Höler needs assessment after picking up a late knock. Vincenzo Grifo and Igor Matanović are expected to return to the starting XI.
Celta Vigo have several issues to assess. Miguel Román is sidelined. Javi Rueda is suspended after accumulating yellow cards.
Major doubts surround Carl Starfelt, Mihailo Ristić, Matías Vecino and Iago Aspas. Hugo Álvarez is also a concern after leaving the Valencia match at half-time.
Possible lineups
- Freiburg (probable): Atubolu; Treu, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Suzuki, Grifo; Matanović.
- Celta Vigo (probable): Radu; Rodríguez, Aidoo, Alonso; Mingueza, Sotelo, Moriba, Carreira; López, Swedberg, Iglésias.
Prediction
This Freiburg vs Celta Vigo preview covers predictions, team news and lineups ahead of the first leg. Both sides bring momentum, but for different reasons.
Freiburg have the confidence of a long home European run. Celta travel unbeaten in their last eight competitive away matches.
Given those factors, a draw on the night looks likely. Predicted score: Freiburg 2-2 Celta Vigo.
