Eintracht Frankfurt will be looking to get their title charge back on track when they welcome Mainz 05 to Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday in their 15th Bundesliga game of the season.
The Eagles are third with 27 points and were beaten 1-0 by RB Leipzig last Sunday, whereas Mainz beat first-placed Bayern Munich 2-1 on December 14 and are seventh with 22 points.
Match preview
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The home team created no big chances against RB Leipzig while facing four big chances themselves, and the loss was the second time in four games that they were defeated by Die Roten Bullen after being eliminated from the DFB-Pokal on December 4 by Die Roten Bullen.
Boss Dino Toppmoller said that his team made too many small mistakes against Leipzig but insisted that he would try to give fans an early Christmas present on Saturday, telling reporters: "Unfortunately, we have made too many simple mistakes in the last ten days. We want to give our fans a pre-Christmas present and give it our all once again."
Toppmoller's side are six points behind leaders Bayern Munich and two points from second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, though his team only have four more points than sixth-placed Stuttgart.
The Eagles have scored 34 goals and conceded on 20 occasions in the top flight, and these are the division's second-best offensive and joint eighth-best defensive records.
Eintracht Frankfurt's overall form has been concerning given they have lost three of their last four matches, with the club also failing to win their two most recent Bundesliga games, but it should be noted that they did triumph in their prior four league outings.
The hosts' form at home has been phenomenal for some time considering they are unbeaten in their past 11 fixtures at Deutsche Bank Park, achieving victory seven times in that period.
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Opponents Mainz became the first team to beat Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last weekend thanks to two goals from Jae-Sung Lee.
Manager Bo Henriksen was delighted with his players' performances, praising their courage when he told reporters: "We were really good tactically, we were there and that's important when you play against Bayern Munich. If you only defend against Bayern, you will die a slow death. If you're there, if you're calm and courageous, then it's possible [to win]."
Karnevalsverein have found the back of the net 13 times in their past five games, conceding six goals but keeping two clean sheets.
Mainz have been outstanding in recent weeks, emerging as victors in four of their five most recent matches, a period of results that includes beating Nuri Sahin's Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the league on November 9.
The visitors have also been strong away from home, with the team winning five, drawing two and losing just one of their last eight fixtures on the road.
Team News
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The Eagles have concerns about the availability of centre-backs Aurele Amenda and Tuta, who are set to be sidelined until February and January respectively.
Robin Koch and Arthur Theate are likely to be stationed in front of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, while Rasmus Kristensen and Nathaniel Brown may start as full-backs.
Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson can be expected to feature in a double pivot behind a front two of Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike.
Mainz will be without winger Gabriel Vidovic, as well as striker Jonathan Burkardt and attacking midfielder Paul Nebel, who were forced off due to injuries against Bayern Munich.
Hyun-Seok Hong replaced Nebl while Armindo Sieb came on for Burkardt, and the pair are likely to be given a place in the starting lineup on Saturday alongside forward Lee.
Defenders Moritz Jenz, Stefan Bell and Dominik Kohr could be fielded in a back three behind a double pivot of Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Kristensen, Koch, Theate, Brown; Knauff, Skhiri, Larsson, Uzun; Ekitike, Marmoush
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Jenz, Bell, Kohr; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Hong, Lee; Sieb
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Mainz 05
Eintracht Frankfurt's inconsistencies in recent weeks could continue on the weekend, especially given the strong form of Mainz 05.
However, the hosts' record at home is exceptional, and they have been good in front of goal this campaign, so it would not be surprising if the points were shared on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
