Victory for Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday when they host Borussia Dortmund at Deutsche Bank Park in the Bundesliga could see opposition manager Nuri Sahin's position come under threat.
The hosts emerged as 4-1 victors against Freiburg on Tuesday and are third with 33 points – nine points from first-placed Bayern Munich – while Dortmund are 10th with 25 points and were beaten 4-2 by relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel on January 14.
Match preview
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Though Freiburg scored first in the 37th minute against Frankfurt, the Eagles were level at half time and produced three big chances while restricting their opponents to just 0.13 xG in the second half.
The victory was the eighth time that Eintracht Frankfurt had scored at least two goals in their last 14 games, but it was also the sixth time in their past seven fixtures that they failed to keep a clean sheet.
While the hosts are the league's third-highest scorers having found the back of the net 40 times in 17 Bundesliga matches, their record of 24 goals conceded is the joint-worst among the top five.
Manager Dino Toppmoller will be pleased that his side have managed to win their two most recent games, especially as they had lost four and drawn one of their prior five.
The win also meant that Toppmoller's team returned to winning ways at home and continued their strong record at Deutsche Bank Park, with the club emerging triumphant in eight, drawing three and losing one of their 12 home matches this term.
In the reverse fixture between Friday's opponents, BVB won 2-0 on August 24 thanks to goals from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, though Eintracht Frankfurt contributed to their own downfall with costly errors at the back.
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As for BVB, they will be embarrassed that they lost against 17th-placed and second last Holstein Kiel, a side that had only won twice in their prior 17 games.
Of particular concern for Sahin would have been his side's first-half capitulation given Dortmund were trailing 3-0 by the interval and created no big chances in the first 45 minutes.
Sahin might point to the fact he had to play midfielder Emre Can in defence as a contributing factor to the defeat, but he has struggled all season to get his team to show the best version of themselves.
In fact, the visitors' record of 32 goals scored and 29 conceded makes them the division's joint fifth-best offensive and joint 10th-best defensive club.
Dortmund come into the clash having won just once in their last seven outings while also losing three of their four most recent fixtures.
While BVB have only been defeated in one of their past four away games, they did lose their previous six matches on the road.
Team News
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The only absentee from the Eagles' squad will be centre-back Aurele Amenda, and this could mean that Toppmoller selects a back three of Tuta, Robin Koch and Arthur Theate.
Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson featured in the centre of the pitch behind attacking midfielder Mario Gotze last time out, and the trio may retain their places on Friday.
Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush has been linked with a January move to Manchester City, but if he is still part of the XI against Dortmund, then he is almost certain to be partnered by Hugo Ekitike.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be without centre-back Niklas Sule, but they should have an otherwise full squad to choose from.
Can will likely be pushed forward into a double pivot alongside Felix Nmecha, and duo could be stationed in front of central defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton.
Attacker Donyell Malen has completed a transfer to Aston Villa, so expect Bynoe-Gittens and Julien Duranville to flank striker Serhou Guirassy.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Theate; Collins, Larsson, Skhiri, Brown; Gotze; Ekitike, Marmoush
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Nmecha; Bynoe-Gittens, Brandt, Duranville; Guirassy
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
If Can is moved into a midfield position, Dortmund may have a better chance to defend against counter-attacks, but it is difficult to look past their recent defensive vulnerability.
Additionally, considering the form of Eintracht Frankfurt in front of goal, as well as their strong record at home, the hosts should be seen as clear favourites to take all three points on Friday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
