German Bundesliga side SC Freiburg take on English Championship outfit Derby County in a pre-season friendly on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Velly Arena in Imst, Austria. Kickoff is scheduled for 18:00 Baku time (16:00 CET).

SC Freiburg: Summer Debut Following European Historic Campaign

Freiburg enter the new campaign following a landmark season where they reached the UEFA Europa League final and secured a seventh-place Bundesliga finish. Julian Schuster's squad recently arrived at their training base in Schruns, Austria, making this fixture their very first friendly match of the summer.

Despite losing star midfielder Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa, Freiburg acted quickly to integrate newcomers Mio Backhaus, Yannik Engelhardt, Rihito Yamamoto, and Keisuke Goto. Even with a few key international players joining camp later, the German outfit boasts superior structural stability and technical depth.

Derby County: Building Sharpness Under John Eustace

Derby County concluded their previous Championship campaign in eighth position, narrowly missing out on the playoff positions. John Eustace’s side began their summer schedule positively with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Alfreton Town.

The Rams have prioritized tactical continuity over massive squad overhaul, permanently securing Bobby Clark alongside experienced defender Charlie Taylor. Facing top-flight German opposition provides Eustace with an ideal benchmark ahead of upcoming fixtures against Valencia.

Key Match Stats & Head-to-Head

• SC Freiburg are playing their first pre-season friendly match of the summer.

• Derby County recorded a 2-0 win over Alfreton Town in their opening warm-up fixture.

• This match marks the first-ever meeting between SC Freiburg and Derby County.

SC Freiburg vs Derby County Prediction

Although Freiburg are just shaking off their off-season rust, the overall disparity in individual quality and possession control strongly favors the German side.

Expect Freiburg to control tempo and secure a favorable result. Official coverage and club news are available via SC Freiburg.

Match Prediction: SC Freiburg Asian Handicap — Home (0).