Will the Sport-Club continue its upward trend internationally?

For only the fourth time overall, SC Freiburg has qualified for the main draw of the UEFA Europa League. Having reached the round of 16 in both 2022/23 and 2023/24, the Breisgauers have once again set their sights high. Despite a difficult draw with matches against Nice, Lille, RB Salzburg and Bologna, they are determined to be in the knockout stages in February.

In this regard, the opening game at home against the reigning Swiss double winners is already blessed with special significance. In any case, it would be very helpful for the rest of the league phase if a bet on a victory for the Bundesliga club in the local derby between Freiburg and FC Basel pays off.

After a disastrous start with two defeats on the first two matchdays of the Bundesliga and a subsequent slip to 18th place in the standings, coach Julian Schuster’s team has made an impressive comeback recently. At home against VfB Stuttgart (3-1) and in Bremen (3-0), they not only scored a total of six goals, but also secured two victories, which have seen the Sport-Club climb to seventh place. With plenty of confidence and great anticipation for their international comeback, they are now hoping to celebrate their third consecutive victory!

Fundamentally, the prognosis for Freiburg against FC Basel looks good for the southern Germans. In terms of quality, the Bundesliga club is stronger, and the Sport-Club also has the advantage in terms of international experience. The FCB last appeared in a European Cup main draw in 2022/23 – in the Conference League at that time. Their last EL appearance was six years ago.

There is also a small question mark over Basel’s current form. The team led by former Bundesliga pro Ludovic Magnin has already lost two of its six league games and did not cover itself in glory at the weekend either, winning 3-2 on penalties against lower-league club Etoile Carouge in the cup. Meanwhile, their chance to participate in the Champions League group stage was thrown away against FC Copenhagen. It is striking that all of their defeats this season have come away from home in all competitions.

I therefore recommend betting on a home win for the favorites from Freiburg, who have won their last four home games in the second most important club competition on the continent, ahead of their clash with FC Basel. They have scored a whopping 14 (!) goals in those games.

Freiburg – FC Basel Head-to-head comparison / H2H record

Due to their geographical proximity – Basel is only 70 kilometers away from Freiburg – there have been more friendly matches between the clubs in recent years. Since 2021 alone, the teams have faced each other four times in test matches. Freiburg remained unbeaten (3-1-0) and scored a total of 13 goals.

However, the influence of the head-to-head on the Freiburg vs. FC Basel betting odds is definitely limited, as not a single competitive game has appeared in the statistics yet. In terms of experience, individual quality, and momentum, however, I see the advantages lying with the Sport-Club, which is facing a Swiss team in the European Cup for only the third time. To date, the record is balanced with one home win and one away defeat.

Freiburg – FC Basel Tip

After four matchdays, SC Freiburg has six points in the Bundesliga. Two defeats at the start were followed by two important wins, in which Schuster’s team made a very mature and clinical impression. One of the protagonists of the clear upward trend is once again Vincenzo Grifo, who already has three points to his name and has scored twice in the league.

In a total of 14 EL starts for the Sport-Club, the Italian has also been involved in nine goals (six goals, three assists). Reason enough to consider betting on Grifo as a goalscorer on Wednesday evening.

All in all, I also expect a game in which at least three goals will be scored. In all of SCF’s league games and also in five of the “Bebbi’s” six Super League games, such a bet would have been successful. The over 2.5 brings the highest odds of 1.57 at Betano. However, I think the 1.75 odds on a Freiburg home win are even more exciting. I see the Bundesliga team as the favorites in almost every respect, so combined with home advantage, they should get off to a successful start in the new Europa League season.