Freiburg vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League Preview and Prediction
Europa League 2025/26
Main Stage – Round 7
Match Date: January 22, 2026
Kickoff Time: 21:00 CET (Freiburg local time)
Venue: Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg
Match Background
Freiburg host Maccabi Tel Aviv in Round 7 of the Europa League main stage in a matchup that clearly reflects the gap between the two teams’ current European form. While the Bundesliga side have already secured progression, the visitors arrive under heavy pressure after a disastrous continental run.
Team Form Overview
Freiburg
Freiburg were firmly in the race for a top-four Bundesliga finish last season, but a poor spring run saw them fall behind Borussia Dortmund and finish fifth. This season has been more turbulent. Under new head coach Julian Schuster, Freiburg have slipped into mid-table, recording an almost identical number of wins and losses.
In the Europa League, however, Freiburg have been far more convincing. They are unbeaten in six matches, dropping points only in away draws against Bologna and Viktoria Plzen. Their four victories include a disciplined 1-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg in December, and qualification for the knockout stage has already been secured.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv continued their domestic dominance last season, lifting both the Israeli Premier League and Toto Cup titles once again. This campaign, however, has been less convincing, with the club now trailing league leaders Hapoel Be'er Sheva by a significant margin.
Their European journey has been especially disappointing. After entering the Champions League qualifiers, Maccabi were unexpectedly eliminated by debutants Pafos. Dropped into the Europa League, they managed to overcome Hamrun Spartans and Dynamo Kyiv in qualifying rounds. The group stage started with a promising draw against PAOK, but that was followed by five consecutive defeats.
Europa League Form Snapshot
Freiburg
Matches: 6
Wins: 4
Draws: 2
Goals Scored (avg): 1.5
Goals Conceded (avg): 0.5
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Matches: 6
Wins: 0
Draws: 1
Losses: 5
Goals Scored (avg): 0.33
Goals Conceded (avg): 3.0
Key Statistics and Trends
Freiburg have won four of their six Europa League matches
The German side concede just 0.5 goals per match on average
Maccabi Tel Aviv have lost six of their last seven Europa League games
The Israeli club average only one goal every three matches while conceding heavily
Probable Starting Lineups
Freiburg (4-2-3-1)
Atubolu
Günter, Jung, Ginter, Kübler
Osterhage, M. Eggestein
Manzambi, Suzuki, Treu
Höller
Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-3-3)
Melika
Revivo, Shlomo, Ben Amo, Asante
Andrade, Sissoko, Shahar
Varela, Madmon, Davida
Head-to-Head History
This will be the first-ever meeting between Freiburg and Maccabi Tel Aviv in any official competition.
Odds Analysis
Market | Odds | Implied Probability | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
Freiburg to Win | 1.35 | 74.1% | Reflects clear gap in quality and form |
Freiburg -1 Handicap | 1.60 | 62.5% | Strong value given Maccabi’s defense |
Draw | 4.80 | 20.8% | Only likely if Freiburg rotate heavily |
Maccabi Tel Aviv to Win | 7.50 | 13.3% | Major upset required |
Over 2.5 Goals | 1.70 | 58.8% | Freiburg could score multiple times |
Free Prediction
With qualification already secured, Freiburg still possess enough depth and discipline to dominate this matchup. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of attacking threat make it difficult to see them keeping the scoreline respectable, even away from home.
Recommended Bet: Freiburg -1 Handicap
Best Odds: 1.60
