The Matchday 1 clash of the Europa League 2025/26 group stage between Freiburg (Germany) and Basel (Switzerland) will take place on September 24 at the Europa-Park Stadium. Freiburg vs. Basel: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Freiburg
Julian Schuster's side secured a spot in the Europa League group stage thanks to their fifth-place finish in last season's Bundesliga. As a result, Freiburg will participate in the main draw of this European competition for the third time in the last four seasons, having reached the Round of 16 on both previous occasions. Notably, the Germans have lost only twice in their last eight Europa League matches (4 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has remained unbeaten in 7 of their last 9 home matches in the Europa League (5 wins, 2 draws).
- At least three goals have been scored in 4 of the club's last 5 home games in this competition.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 6 of Freiburg's last 7 Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Freiburg (4-5-1)
Noah Atubolu – Jordy Makengo, Philipp Lienhart, Matthias Ginter, Lukas Kübler – Vincenzo Grifo, Chikwubuike Adamu, Patrick Osterhage, Maximilian Eggestein, Jan-Niklas Beste – Lucas Höler.
Forward Chikwubuike Adamu will miss the match due to injury.
Basel
Ludovic Magnin's team found themselves in the Europa League group stage after being eliminated from the Champions League in the final qualifying round by Copenhagen (1:1, 0:2). Consequently, Basel will participate in the main draw of the Europa League for the first time since the 2019/20 season, when they were knocked out by Shakhtar Donetsk in the quarter-finals (1:4). It's worth noting that the Swiss side has won seven of their last nine Europa League matches (2 losses).
- The club has not lost in 5 of their last 7 away matches in the Europa League (4 wins, 1 draw).
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of the team's last 7 away matches in this competition.
- The Swiss have scored in 6 of their last 7 away Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Basel (4-3-3)
Mirko Salvi – Keigo Tsunemoto, Nicolas Vouilloz, Jonas Adjetey, Moussa Cisse – Koba Koindredi, Leo Leroy, Ibrahima Sissoko – Kaio Eduardo, Albian Ajeti, Philip Otele.
Forward Beni Traore will miss the match due to injury.
Referee
Luís Godinho (Portugal)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 17%.
Freiburg vs. Basel: Match Prediction
The Germans prefer an attacking style at home and rarely struggle with scoring. In their last nine home Europa League matches, Freiburg failed to score only against Juventus, and in that match, they played with a man down for more than half. Additionally, the club has scored eight times in four Bundesliga rounds this season.
Basel is also not accustomed to sitting back and even in away games, they strive to create as many attacking opportunities as possible. In their last eight away Europa League matches, the team failed to score only once, and in their last four away matches in this competition, the Swiss have scored nine goals. However, in nine previous away Europa League matches, the club managed to keep a clean sheet only three times.
I expect an effective attacking performance from both sides, and my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
