Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to prevent themselves from being dragged into a battle for Europe with the teams below them when they host Holstein Kiel on Sunday at Deutsche Bank Park in the Bundesliga.
The Eagles drew 1-1 with Borussia Monchengladbach on February 8 and their tally of 39 points means they are only four points ahead of fifth-placed Stuttgart, whereas the visitors are second last in 17th place with 13 points and occupy one of two automatic relegation spots.
Match preview
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Eintracht Frankfurt failed to make the most of their numerous opportunities against Borussia Monchengladbach, scoring once from their three big chances and 2.15 xG, while they conceded despite only facing 0.38 xG.
The draw was the hosts' third consecutive in the league and meant that their position in the division's four Champions League qualification spots is more precarious, with fifth-placed Stuttgart just four points behind.
Dino Toppmoller's team have scored four goals in their past three Bundesliga games, and to their credit, their overall return of 46 goals in 21 league matches makes them the third-best offensive club in the top flight.
The home side will be hoping for a repeat of their performance against Holstein Kiel in the reverse fixture on September 29 when they defeated their opponents 4-2, though they will aim to be more resilient defensively than they were that day considering they conceded twice despite facing just one big chance.
Though the Eagles have failed to win any of their last four – losing one and drawing three – they did emerge victorious in their previous four by a cumulative score of 9-1.
Toppmoller's side have been phenomenal at home this season, winning 10, drawing four and only suffering one defeat in 15 outings at Deutsche Bank Park in 2024-25, a period that includes three victories in their last four.
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Opponents Holstein Kiel managed to draw 2-2 with last-placed VfL Bochum on February 9 in the league, a game in which both teams created three big chances, though Holstein Kiel hit the woodwork twice and produced a higher xG figure.
Die Storche have now conceded 16 goals in their past six outings, but boss Marcel Rapp will be pleased that his team scored on 14 occasions in that time.
The visitors' draw last weekend resulted in them gaining a ground on 16th-placed Heidenheim, who have 14 points and occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
Rapp's side have lost two and drawn two of their past four matches and have won just two of their last 12 in the Bundesliga, losing eight of those fixtures.
Holstein Kiel's only away victory this campaign was in the DFB-Pokal on August 17 against Alemannia Aachen, and they have since failed to win any of their 11 on the road, succumbing to defeat eight times.
Team News
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Eintracht Frankfurt have doubts about the availability of midfielder Ellyes Skhiri, while wide player Eric Ebimbe has been ruled out, so expect a midfield four of Ansgar Knauff, Oscar Hojlund, Hugo Larsson and Mario Gotze to start.
Striker Hugo Ekitike could be joined up front by Michy Batshuayi given Igor Matanovic will not return until early March.
Centre-back Robin Koch will also miss out, and the Eagles' defence may instead consist of Rasmus Kristensen, Tuta, Arthur Theate and Nathaniel Brown.
As for the visitors, they will have to cope without centre-backs Carl Johansson, Colin Kleine-Beckel and Patrick Erras, and their injuries could lead Rapp to field a back three of Timo Becker, David Zec and Marco Komenda.
Lewis Holtby, Magnus Knudsen and Nicolai Remberg are likely to feature in a midfield three behind a front two of Shuto Machino and Phil Harres.
However, attackers Alexander Bernhardsson and Steven Skrzybski have been ruled out and will not be able to make an impact from the bench.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Kristensen, Tuta, Theate, Brown; Knauff, Hojlund, Larsson, Gotze; Batshuayi, Ekitike
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Porath, Knudsen, Remberg, Holtby, Javorcek; Machino, Harres
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 Holstein Kiel
Although Eintracht Frankfurt have found wins difficult to come by in recent weeks, they should be seen as clear favourites given their attacking strengths.
Additionally, Holstein Kiel's defensive frailty has been concerning this term, and it is hard to see them being competitive on Sunday if they fail to address their issues in the backline.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
