RB Leipzig vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Two top-four sides face off

RB Leipzig

Leipzig made an impressive start to the Bundesliga season, winning six and drawing three of their opening nine matches. However, they then experienced a drop-off in form, taking just one point from their next four games in the top flight, before they claimed a much-need win over Holstein Kiel last weekend. Benjamin Šeško and André Silva grabbed a goal apiece to guide Marco Rose’s side to a 2-0 away victory, leaving them in fourth position at the end of matchday 13.

Unfortunately for Leipzig, they were unable to take anything from Tuesday’s Champions League home clash against Aston Villa despite coming from behind on two occasions. Ross Barkley’s deflected winner condemned die Roten Bullen to a 3-2 defeat at the Red Bull Arena, leaving them in 34th place without a point to their name after six games. As a result of that dismal record, Leipzig have been eliminated from the Champions League with two matches left to play.

They will have to quickly pick themselves up for their second meeting with Frankfurt this month. The hosts will take confidence from the fact they recorded a commanding 3-0 home victory when the two sides faced off in the DFB-Pokal on December 4. In fact, Leipzig have won three of their previous four home games against Frankfurt in all competitions. 

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the injured Xavi Simons, Eljif Elmas, Assan Ouédraogo, Yussuf Poulsen, Castello Lukeba, Amadou Haidara and David Raum. Meanwhile, Arthur Vermeeren will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt had enjoyed a run of seven straight competitive victories before they were comfortably beaten at the Red Bull Arena earlier this month. That result proved to be the start of a three-game winless run, which includes a 2-2 draw in last Saturday’s Bundesliga home clash against Augsburg.  

Dino Toppmöller’s side then experienced an unsuccessful trip to France for Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Lyon. Ansgar Knauff opened the scoring at the Groupama Stadium, before Lyon netted three goals to take the game away from Frankfurt. Omar Marmoush reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, but it ultimately proved to little too late as die Adler fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat.

After losing in Europe for the first time this season, Frankfurt will be looking to produce a response in Sunday’s Bundesliga fixture. The visitors can draw inspiration from the fact they have won four of their last six away league games, including victories in their previous two Bundesliga away outings against Stuttgart and Heidenheim. As a result, they now have the chance to clinch three consecutive away league victories for the first time since May/June 2020.

Team News

The visitors are without Aurèle Amenda and Tuta due to ankle and calf injuries respectively.