Eintracht Frankfurt seek to end Bayer Leverkusen's undefeated Bundesliga streak when they host the champions in Sunday's gameweek 32 meeting at Deutsche Bank Park.
The hosts are keen to hold on to their Europa League qualification place in sixth, while Xabi Alonso's team aim to match a European feat by avoiding defeat.
Match preview
© Reuters
Borussia Dortmund's victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night secured Germany a fifth spot in the Champions League, thus making sixth place enough for next season's Europa League.
Dino Toppmoller's men currently occupy that position in the German top flight and hope to retain it over the next three gameweeks in 2023-34, starting with this weekend's visit of the newly-crowned champions.
While five points separate Frankfurt from seventh-placed Freiburg, a win for Christian Streich's men at second-bottom Koln on Saturday places pressure on Die Adler heading into Sunday's game.
Nevertheless, the Eagles' commendable results at the Waldstadion offer hope to the home support, who have not seen their side lose in Hesse since November 25's 2-1 defeat to Stuttgart.
Whether that continues against the champions remains to be seen, but the club with only one loss at home all season and the fifth-best point tally (28) in fixtures as hosts should back themselves for a positive outcome this weekend.
© Reuters
Leverkusen are undoubtedly relentless, and their 46-game undefeated run in all competitions became 47 on Thursday when goals from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich secured an admirable win over Roma in the Europa League semi-final first-leg match at the Olimpico.
That outcome saw Daniele De Rossi admit this is Leverkusen's year, even if stranger things have happened in European football, particularly with the removal of away goals.
Alonso's men return to domestic football on Sunday, keen to extend their undefeated run in the Bundesliga to 32 as they seek to become the first side to go an entire league campaign without losing a game.
That has been tested in recent weeks, with Die Werkself relying on late equalising goals in back-to-back Bundesliga games against Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart, with the latter seeing the champions secure a point against Sebastian Hoeness's men having trailed 2-0.
Avoiding a loss on Sunday extends the club's league streak without losing to 32, seeing Alonso's men match Benfica's European record of 48 unbeaten in all competitions set between December 1963 and February 1965.
That adds to the pressure of visiting Frankfurt this weekend, but Leverkusen will back themselves to secure a positive result at Deutsche Bank Park.
Team News
© Reuters
Fares Chaibi (illness) is doubtful for Frankfurt, but Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Mehdi Loune (knee), Nacho Ferri (ankle) and Sebastian Rode (knee) are all missing this weekend's game.
Hugo Ekitike has netted in consecutive Bundesliga appearances, and the forward should lead the attack on Sunday, with Omar Marmoush (11 goals), the club's leading league goalscorer in 23-24, supporting the PSG loanee.
Alonso opted to start without a recognised centre-forward in Thursday's European triumph in Rome, but either Victor Boniface or Patrik Schick should play from the off this time.
Wirtz could be rested by the Leverkusen boss, although Alejandro Grimaldo should make his 31st Bundesliga start on Sunday. The wing-back's 13 league assists is the most at the club since Opta began collecting that data in 2004-05.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Pacho; Buta, Larsson, Skhiri, Dina Ebimbe; Marmoush, Gotze; Ekitike
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Tella, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Adli; Schick
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
This fixture has been played 77 times without ever ending goalless, and that outcome should not be expected this weekend. Leverkusen have ridden their luck to remain unbeaten since claiming the Bundesliga, and that run should continue this weekend despite losing on their last five visits to Frankfurt.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
