SC Freiburg Match Preview
West Ham United fans weren’t able to go to Germany to watch their team take on SC Freiburg on October 5, due to a one-match stadium ban. However, the Claret and Blue Army do get the chance to make the journey tonight when the Hammers head back to Stadion am Wolfswinkel.
The East Londoners pipped their opponents to top spot in UEFA Europa League Group A after beating them twice, meaning the German outfit had to come through a two-legged play-off tie against French club RC Lens last month. Little did the two sides know then that they would meet again so soon!!!
David Moyes will be hoping that his side can repeat the feat and progress through to the quarter-final stage, though it may well be a tougher prospect this time around, as SC Freiburg will undoubtedly know how the Irons will approach matters.
Before the draw was made on 23 February, the East Londoners were yet to get a Premier League win in 2024 but since that day, they have sealed back-to-back victories over both Brentford and Everton.
Here’s hoping they can keep the momentum going!!!
After naming an unchanged side for the win at Goodison Park on Saturday, Moyes is likely to make changes for this fixture with names such as Kalvin Phillips, Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna, Ben Johnson, Michail Antonio and Danny Ings all looking for starts, while Łukasz Fabiański last started in goal in the 3-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers back on December 17 and he is set to replace Alphonse Areola for this game.
Nayef Aguerd hasn’t featured in a starting line-up since the 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest back on 17 February but if he is to feature tonight, he will have to undergo a late fitness test.
James Ward-Prowse was substituted against the Toffees at the weekend but despite carrying a minor injury himself, the midfielder is likely to retain his place.
One name that the Hammers’ boss is unable to call on though is Maxwel Cornet, as the former Burnley player sustained a hamstring injury in training before the encounter with the Bees.
The match is an 8pm kick-off with live coverage being screened by TNT Sports from 7:45pm. The referee is Alejandro Hernández.