-
Hammers only need a draw to take top spot
-
Freiburg on good form
-
Hosts a touch too short at odds-on
West Ham v Freiburg
Thursday 14 December, 20:00
Live on TNT Sports
Hammers running on empty
It's rare for a manager to give his players back-to-back days off from training, but that's exactly what West Ham boss David Moyes did after his side's 5-0 drubbing at Fulham. The Glaswegian described his players as mentally and physically exhausted, and admitted that illness has been sweeping through the camp. Perhaps it's no surprise that after a Herculean effort to win at Spurs just a few days earlier, his squad came up significantly short in west London.
West Ham have indicated privately that they have no intention of making a coaching change, but it remains unclear whether Moyes' contract will be extended. Yes, the former Everton and Manchester United manager has credit in the bank after winning the Europa Conference League last season (West Ham's first major trophy since 1980), but he has failed to build on a promising start in the league.
The Hammers seriously flirted with relegation last season, and although things are far rosier this time - the east London side are currently ninth - Moyes reportedly doesn't see eye-to-eye with sporting director Tim Steidten when it comes to transfer policy.
There are also reservations about Moyes' playing style, and whether it gets the best out of West Ham's more technically gifted players like Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta. West Ham have scored 26 goals in their first 16 PL games of the campaign, and only Manchester United have scored fewer when it comes to top-half sides.
Edson Alvarez could return after illness, while Said Benrahma and Emerson are pushing for starting spots. Trusted striker Michail Antonio is out with a knee problem, and Lukasz Fabianski may keep his place in goal, with Alphonse Areola struggling with a wrist injury.
West Ham must avoid defeat to secure top spot, so expect Moyes to field his strongest possible side.
Freiburg growing in stature
Not only have Freiburg qualified for Europe in back-to-back seasons for the first time in their history, but they are now guaranteed knockout football in successive UEL campaigns as well. The Black Forest side have beaten both Olympiakos and TSC Backa Topola home and away, and a 2-1 home defeat to West Ham has been the only fly in the ointment.
Freiburg is a club that revolves around the charisma and football intelligence of coach Christian Streich. The 58-year-old has been in charge since 2011, and he even stayed with the club when they were relegated a few seasons ago, winning promotion at the first attempt. He is excellent at developing young players, and he has enabled SCF to consistently punch above their weight.
Vincenzo Grifo remains the creative heartbeat of the team. The Italian international has seven goals in all competitions, and is one of the best deliverers of a set piece in German football.
Austrian striker Michael Gregoritsch is a man in form, with five goals in his last three games, including a first ever career hat-trick in a 5-0 hammering of Olympiakos.
In the Bundesliga, Freiburg have recently grabbed narrow away wins at Mainz and Wolfsburg, and they have lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions. Their only away defeats this term have been against big hitters - they lost 3-0 at Bayern, 2-1 at Bayer Leverkusen and 3-1 at RB Leipzig, a game that saw them compete for 79 minutes before collapsing late on.
Captain and rampaging left-back Christian Günter is still out with a serious arm injury, while Lukas Kübler, Maximilian Philipp and Yannik Keitel are also still on the sidelines.
Hammers too short in game they don't need to win
West Ham know a draw will secure top spot here, and given their recent form I can't get behind backing them to win at 1.8810/11. Freiburg are pretty tough to beat, and apart form their defeat to the Hammers back in Germany, they have been flawless in this competition.
SCF have an in-form striker, solid defenders like Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart, and a set-piece king in Grifo.
The Hammers have won just three of their last six home games in all competitions, and it could be a nervy night, so I'll lay them at 1.8810/11.
Now read why Jamie is backing a 5/2 Bet Builder at the Amex in Group B!