Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Bundesliga clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Vincent Kompany‘s Bayern Munich will look to bounce back from their defeat in the Champions League on Wednesday when they travel to face Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park in the Bundesliga.
Die Adler are currently second with 12 points from their five league games, while the away team are in first place with 13 points but lost for the first time this season against Aston Villa in the Champions League last time out.
Match preview
© Imago
After losing 2-0 against Borussia Dortmund on August 24 in their first game of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season, the hosts have won their last four league matches and beat Holstein Kiel 4-2 on September 29 in their most recent league game.
Holstein Kiel created no big chances from open play despite scoring twice and were drawing 2-2 after 50 minutes, but Eintracht Frankfurt’s three second half goals were enough to secure all three points.
In their most recent game on Thursday, the Eagles beat Besiktas 3-1 in the Europa League and were 3-0 when Besiktas scored a consolation goal in the 93rd minute.
Boss Dino Toppmoller praised his team’s ability to take control of the match from an offensive and defensive perspective, although he will be concerned that Besiktas managed to create more xG than his side.
Toppmoller’s team have won five of their last six games in all competitions, although their home record is mixed considering they won four, drawn six and lost two of their last 12 matches at Deutsche Bank Park.
Of the 18 top-flight clubs, Eintracht Frankfurt have created the second most big chances in the league despite averaging just 42% possession, the fifth lowest figure.
© Imago
As for the Bavarians, they may come into Sunday’s clash deflated after they lost for the first time this season against Unai Emery‘s Aston Villa when they were beaten 1-0 at Villa Park.
The only goal of the game was scored in the 79th minute when Pau Torres split Bayern’s defence and played a pass in behind for Jhon Duran, who struck into the back of the net from distance after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was caught off his line.
Kompany said in the aftermath of his side’s defeat that he felt his team were always one step too late, and Harry Kane also aired his frustration when he lamented the lack of service in the final third.
Bayern have won all five of their Bundesliga matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just four times, records which make them the division’s best offensive and third best defensive team.
In their most recent league fixture on September 28, the German giants drew 1-1 with champions Bayer Leverkusen, a match in which Bayern restricted Leverkusen to just three shots.
Kompany’s side have been strong away from home this term, winning four of their five matches on the road, but prior to these games they lost seven, drew two and won two of their previous 11 away matches.
Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:
Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):
Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:
Bayern Munich form (all competitions):
© Imago
The hosts will be without midfielders Mehdi Loune and Oscar Hojlund until late October and late December respectively.
Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp is also a doubt due to a hip injury that he picked up on September 14, but even though he could return to action in the next few days, Toppmoller may continue to select Kaua Santos in his place.
The Eagles may start Rasmus Kristensen at right-back and Arthur Theate at left-back, while Tuta and Robin Koch will likely be selected to play as centre-backs.
Mario Gotze was substituted at half time against Besiktas due to injury, and he could be replaced by Fares Chaibi.
Meanwhile, Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has been suspended by the German football association for derisory comments about Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes.
Defender Sacha Boey is likely to be out until December, while Josip Stanisic and Jamal Musiala are expected to be available in late November and late October respectively.
Defender Hiroki Ito is a doubt, although he is only expected to miss a few more days at most.
Centre-back Dayot Upamecano was criticised for his performance following his team’s defeat against Villa, and it will be interesting to see if Kompany opts to take him out of the firing line on Sunday.
Kompany could show faith in Upamecano and start him in a back four alongside Raphael Guerreiro, Kim Min-Jae and Alphonso Davies.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Santos; Kristensen, Tuta, Koch, Theate; Dina Ebimbe, Shkiri, Larsson, Chaibi; Ekitike, Marmoush
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Muller, Gnabry; Kane
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Bayern Munich
Given Bayern have only scored once in the last two games and will be without Musiala, it would not be surprising if they struggled to create many chances on Sunday.
However, the visitors have won all of their domestic matches this season and considering that Eintracht Frankfurt’s record at home is mixed, they could succumb to Kompany’s Bayern.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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