Lille Faces Freiburg: Predictions, Team News, and Lineups
On Thursday night, Lille will face Freiburg at Decathlon Arena in a critical Europa League match. As Lille struggles to stay in the competition, Freiburg is riding high in their current form.
Lille’s Recent Struggles
Lille has experienced a challenging start to 2026. The team has lost five consecutive matches across Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Europa League, including a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Strasbourg. Despite a consolation goal from Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the loss highlighted Lille’s ongoing troubles. They now sit in 21st place in the League Phase rankings.
Les Dogues desperately need a win. A victory against Freiburg is essential to secure a spot in the knockout stages. Lille has struggled at home recently, suffering three straight losses at Decathlon Arena with an aggregate score of 8-2.
Key Player Absences
Injuries have severely impacted Lille’s squad. Notable absences include:
- Hamza Igamane – sidelined for the season due to a serious knee injury.
- Thomas Meunier – out with a hamstring injury, expected back in late February.
- Nabil Bentaleb – recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Expected Lineup for Lille
The possible starting lineup for Lille includes:
- Ozer
- Santos, Ngoy, Ribeiro, Perraud
- Broholm, Mukau, Mandi, Correia
- Haraldsson, Giroud
Freiburg’s Strong Position
Freiburg comes into this match in robust form, having lost just one of their last eight games across all competitions. The team is currently third in the League Phase standings, three points clear of Porto. Their solid performance has made Freiburg one of only two teams without defeat in the League Phase, having conceded just three goals in seven matches.
Veteran forward Vincenzo Grifo has been instrumental, matching his ten-goal tally from last season. Freiburg is looking to secure three consecutive competitive wins, which would be a significant achievement for them this season.
Injury Notes for Freiburg
Freiburg has a few injury concerns as well:
- Lukas Kubler – dealing with a hamstring strain.
- Philipp Lienhart – abdominal injury.
- Daniel-Kofi Kyereh – also injured and not expected to rush back.
Expected Lineup for Freiburg
Freiburg is likely to field the following lineup:
- Atubolu
- Treu, Ginter, Rosenfelder, Gunter
- Eggestein, Osterhage, Beste, Suzuki, Scherhant
- Matanovic
Match Prediction
Given the circumstances, the stakes are high for Lille as they require a victory to advance. Freiburg, on the other hand, will aim to maintain their unbeaten status. The prediction leans towards Lille securing a 2-1 win, driven by their urgent need for points in this crucial match.
