Preview: Lille vs Freiburg Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | UEFA Europa League 2025-26

It is a crucial Europa League decider at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Stakes could hardly be higher as LOSC Lille welcome SC Freiburg to the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy. This is the final matchday of the UEFA Europa League‘s league phase.

This high-stakes clash will determine the European fate for both sides. The hosts are clinging to a knockout playoff spot, while the visitors are chasing automatic qualification for the Round of 16.

Bruno Génésio’s men find themselves in a precarious position. They recently suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo on Matchday 7.

Because of that, Les Dogues must secure points to avoid slipping out of the top 24. Such a scenario would abruptly end their continental campaign.

Olivier Giroud remains the focal point of their attack after captaining the side in Sunday’s Ligue 1 outing against Strasbourg. However, the team currently lacks consistency in the final third.

90’ I 1️⃣-4️⃣Fin du match.#LOSCRCSA pic.twitter.com/TgtmZWbTbv

— LOSC (@losclive) January 25, 2026

In contrast, Freiburg arrive in northern France brimming with confidence. The Breisgau Brazilians dispatched Maccabi Tel Aviv last week, a result that propelled them into the top eight. Maintaining this standing guarantees Julian Schuster’s side a bye past the playoff round.

They will defend this prize fiercely. Their defence has conceded a mere three goals throughout the league phase, meaning Lille face a tough challenge trying to get past their backline.

Recent form favours the German outfit. They remain unbeaten in their last five outings across all competitions. On the other hand, Lille have stuttered recently, managing only two wins in their previous five matches.

Home advantage usually bolsters the French side, but the pressure of a must-not-lose scenario often complicates matters. Expect a tense, tactical battle where a single defensive lapse could dictate the outcome.

Kickoff Details:

• Location: Lille, France
• Stadium: Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy
• Date: Friday, January 30
• Time: 01:30 a.m. IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form Guide:

• Lille: L-L-L-L-L
• Freiburg: W-W-D-L-W

Players to Watch:

Lille: Hakon Haraldsson

Icelandic playmaker Hakon Haraldsson runs the Lille attack, having registered five league goals so far this term. Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder, the 22-year-old creates space through intelligent positioning and strong ball retention. While his aerial presence remains a limitation against physical defences, his creative spark is vital for Les Dogues.

Freiburg: Igor Matanovic

Meanwhile, Igor Matanovic causes real problems for defenders with his aerial dominance. The Croatian striker netted a decisive winner against Maccabi Tel Aviv last week. His season tally in the domestic league is five goals across 16 appearances.

Freiburg rely heavily on his physical hold-up play to launch rapid counter-attacks, making him a constant threat in the box. Matanovic leads the line for Freiburg with equal potency, physically dominating opposition defenders in his recent surge of form.

Match Facts:

• Lille score an average of 1.57 goals while conceding 1.29.
• Freiburg score an average of 1.43 goals and concedes 0.43.
• Lille have conceded 13 goals in their last five matches.

Lille vs Freiburg Betting Tips and Odds:

• Lille to Win @ 2.04 (1xBet)
• Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.05 (Bet365)
• Both Teams to Score (Yes) @ 1.91 (Melbet)

Injuries and Team News:

Unavailable players for Lille: Thomas Meunier (injury), Ousmane Touré (injury), André Gomes (injury), Benjamin André (injury), Nabil Bentaleb (injury), Hamza Igamane (injury), and Osame Sahraoui (injury).

Unavailable players for Freiburg: Lukas Kübler (injury), Philipp Lienhart (injury), and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (injury).

Head-To-Head Stats:

This will be the first-ever competitive encounter between these two sides.

Predicted Starting Lineups:

Lille (4-4-1-1): B. Özer; T. Santos, N. Ngoy, Alexsandro, R. Perraud; M. Broholm, N. Mukau, L. Baret, F. Correia; H. Haraldsson; O. Giroud.

Freiburg (4-2-3-1): N. Atubolu; B. Ogbus, M. Ginter, M. Rosenfelder, P. Treu; M. Eggestein, P. Osterhage; J. Beste, Y. Suzuki, D. Scherhant; I. Matanovic.

Match Prediction:

Freiburg’s resilient backline should neutralise Lille’s frantic attacking waves. However, the hosts’ sheer desperation typically generates enough momentum for a solitary goal. The contest will likely deadlock as high stakes hamper clinical finishing.

Look for a hard-fought draw in what should be a nervous finish.

Prediction: Lille 1-1 Freiburg

Telecast Details

India: SonyLIV, Sony Sports Network

UK: TNT Sports

US: Paramount+, TUDN

Middle East/North Africa: beIN Sports

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