Eintracht Frankfurt's home clash against Wolfsburg at Deutsche Bank Park on Sunday in the Bundesliga could be hugely significant in the race for Champions League football.
The Eagles are in third place with 37 points but were held to a 2-2 stalemate by relegation-threatened Hoffenheim on January 26, whereas Wolfsburg are eighth with 28 points and drew 2-2 with second last Holstein Kiel on January 24.
Match preview
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Eintracht Frankfurt twice led against Hoffenheim – conceding a second goal in the 95th minute – and they were arguably fortunate to take a point considering their opponents hit the woodwork two times and created three big chances.
The Eagles were also beaten 2-0 by Roma on Thursday in the Europa League, a result that saw them finish in fifth place and qualify automatically for the round of 16 where they will face one of Ajax, FCSB, Union SG or PAOK.
Though boss Dino Toppmoller might be concerned that his team have conceded four times in their past two games, they only allowed opponents to score once in their previous four while finding the back of the net themselves on nine occasions.
In fact, only Bayern Munich boast a better tally than the hosts' return of 46 goals scored in the Bundesliga, a figure that is just five fewer than they managed in the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign.
Eintracht Frankfurt have won three and drawn one of their four most recent league outings and have triumphed in seven of their past 11 in the division.
Toppmoller's side boast an excellent record at Deutsche Bank Park, with the club emerging victorious in 10 of their last 14 at home while drawing three and losing just one in that period.
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As for Wolfsburg, they will view their draw with Holstein Kiel as a poor result given they conceded twice despite facing just 0.22 xG and no big chances.
The visitors are still in a strong position from which to qualify for Europe considering they are just four points from fourth-placed Stuttgart, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will hope that his side can improve upon their defensive performance from their previous clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on September 14 when they lost 2-1, faced four big chances and needed the woodwork to save them twice.
The Wolves have been beaten in three, drawn one and won two of their last six games, but it should be noted that they did triumph in each of their prior five.
While Hasenhuttl's side have lost two of their three most recent fixtures away from home, they have only lost three of their 10 matches on the road – winning six and drawing one – with two of those defeats coming against Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Team News
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January signing Elye Wahi is a doubt for Eintracht Frankfurt due to a thigh injury, and if he is not ready to feature in the forward line, then Mario Goetze and Ansgar Knauff may support striker Hugo Ekitike.
Wing-back Eric Ebimbe is not scheduled to return to action until the middle of next month, so perhaps Rasmus Kristensen and Nathaniel Brown will flank a back three.
Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson have started in their side's last six games, and they are almost certain to play together in midfield on Sunday.
Wolfsburg are dealing with numerous injury absentees, including defenders Jakub Kaminski and Rogerio, so expect Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Joakim Maehle to appear in a back four.
With midfielders Kevin Paredes and Lovro Majer ruled out, Hasenhuttl may select Bence Dardai, Maximilian Arnold and Yannick Gerhardt to start in the middle of the pitch.
Andreas Skov Olsen, Jonas Wind, Mohamed El Amine Amoura may be fielded in attack considering winger Patrick Wimmer is suspended and striker Bartosz Bialek is injured.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Collins, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, Brown; Knauff, Gotze; Ekitike
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle; Dardai, Arnold, Gerhardt; Olsen, Wind, Amoura
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg have been excellent away from home and may benefit from being able to counter-attack against their hosts.
However, Eintracht Frankfurt are still a formidable offensive force, and they are likely to create a number of chances against the Wolves on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
