Motherwell beat HJK Helsinki to reach UEFA Conference League play-off round
Freiburg reached the Europa League final last season, losing to Aston Villa
Recommended Bet: Freiburg to win, Igor Matanovic anytime goalscorer & both teams to score
Motherwell take on last season’s Europa League finalists Freiburg in the first leg of their Conference League qualifying play-off round tie at Fir Park on Thursday night.
The Well have beaten HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands and Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki to reach this stage and are now just one tie away from sealing a spot in the league phase of the competition.
Freiburg are yet to play a competitive game this season as the Bundesliga does not kick off until the end of August but they will still provide a huge challenge for Motherwell.
The latest Motherwell vs Freiburg odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson made eight changes for Sunday’s League Cup defeat to Championship outfit Stenhousemuir and so is expected to put all of his regular starters back in the side on Thursday.
Midfielder Oscar Priestman is unavailable, while Jordan McGhee is out with a hamstring issue and Callum Hendry has a knee problem.
Freiburg midfielder Florent Muslija is unavailable due to an ACL injury while forward Eren Dinkci has this week completed a loan move to Werder Bremen.
The stats
Motherwell had gone six games unbeaten this season before Sunday’s League Cup loss.
Freiburg netted 25 goals in the Europa League last season — only Aston Villa (31) scored more.
The Well last qualified for the main draw of a European competition in 2008 when they faced Nancy in the first round of the UEFA Cup.
Freiburg have finished in the top 10 in each of the last seven Bundesliga campaigns.
Prediction
Motherwell have enjoyed a positive start to the campaign but Freiburg should prove too strong in this Conference League play-off.
The Well have beaten HB Torshavn and HJK Helsinki to reach this stage and can be proud of their achievements, but coming up against the Breisgau-Brazilians is a different kettle of fish.
Freiburg have finished in the top 10 of the Bundesliga for seven straight seasons and that progress also saw them reach the Europa League final last term before losing to Aston Villa.
Motherwell will welcome back their regular starters following Sunday’s disappointing League Cup defeat by Stenhousemuir but the Germans possess great quality and so should win the first leg at Fir Park.
However, while a defeat looks likely, Motherwell should at least get on the scoresheet.
Finding the net in all four qualifying games so far, Johansson’s men have scored a total of eight goals in Europe and face a Freiburg side who have kept only one clean sheet in their last 10 competitive matches.
As for Freiburg goalscorers, striker Igor Matanovic hit 15 goals in 50 appearances last season and looks set to lead the line again.
Having appeared for Croatia at the World Cup, the forward started the friendly win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and will be eager to get on the scoresheet at Fir Park.
Score prediction: Motherwell 1-3 Freiburg
