Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Two out-of-form teams face off

Eintracht Frankfurt

Albert Riera had to settle for a point in his first game as Frankfurt head coach against Union Berlin. The new boss looked set to start with a victory when Nathaniel Brown broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, only for Oscar Højlund to give away a penalty just moments later. Højlund received a second yellow and Leopold Querfeld maintained his composure to dispatch a late penalty, leaving Frankfurt without a win in six consecutive league games.

As a result of their poor form, die Adler are sitting in eighth place and eight points adrift of the top six ahead of Saturday’s home clash. They also have the league’s second-worst defensive record with 46 goals conceded in 21 matches. 

They may still fancy their chances of taking maximum points from Saturday’s fixture, having won six of their last 10 competitive meetings with Gladbach, including a thrilling 6-4 success in September. In fact, die Adler have won each of their previous three head-to-head home games. 

Team News

Arthur Theate will be out for an extended period after undergoing meniscus surgery. The hosts are also without Younes Ebnoutalib, Michy Batshuayi, Can Uzun and Jonathan Burkardt, while it is unclear whether Farès Chaïbi will be ready for the game against Gladbach. Meanwhile, Højlund is suspended after being sent off on matchday 21.

Predicted lineup: Kauã; Kristensen, Koch, Amenda, Brown; Skhiri, Larsson; Doan, Götze, Knauff; Kalimuendo

Gladbach

Like Frankfurt, Gladbach are also in desperate need of a victory, having failed to win any of their previous five Bundesliga matches. They suffered heavy defeats to Hoffenheim and Stuttgart, either side of a goalless affair against Hamburg, before playing out 1-1 draws in their last two outings against Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen. 

Having mustered 22 points from 21 matches, Gladbach will be nervously looking over their shoulder, with just three points separating them from the relegation playoff spot. Their hopes of adding to their tally this weekend could depend on whether they score the first goal. That is because Gladbach have lost nine of the 10 league games in which they have conceded the opening goal this term (D1).

If they can strike first, it would put them in a strong position to claim their first victory over Frankfurt since running out 4-0 winners in a home meeting in April 2021. 

Team News

Eugen Polanski is without the services of Robin Hack, Nathan Ngoumou, Alejo Sarco, Gio Reyna and Tim Kleindienst. Meanwhile, Kevin Diks will serve a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Predicted lineup: Nicolas; Sander, Elvedi, Chiarodia; Castrop, Reitz, Engelhardt, Stöger, Ullrich; Honorat, Tabaković