Mainz 05 vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Crucial clash in battle for European qualification
Mainz 05
Mainz’s European bid has lost considerable momentum in recent weeks, having failed to win any of their last six matches since they beat Borussia Mönchengladbach on March 7. That run of results has seen them alternate between home draws and away defeats, including a heavy 3-0 loss in last Saturday’s meeting with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
As a result of their poor form, die Nullfünfer have slipped down to seventh position in the Bundesliga table, leaving them one point adrift of the top six with three games left to play against Frankfurt, Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen.
While they have experienced a dip in form, Mainz will still fancy their chances of taking something from Sunday’s contest, having avoided defeat in each of their last 11 home league games since losing to RB Leipzig in October. The hosts are looking to complete a Bundesliga double over Frankfurt after clinching a 3-1 victory in December’s reverse fixture.
Team News
Mainz defender Anthony Caci will have to be assessed after he was forced off in the first half against Bayern. Moritz Jenz missed last Saturday’s defeat and remains a doubt for Sunday’s fixtures.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt are sitting in third place in the Bundesliga table after winning 16, drawing seven and losing eight of their 31 league matches. Die Alder have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent times, having lost just one of their previous six Bundesliga games. They began that run of results with back-to-back victories against Bochum and Stuttgart, before they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Werder Bremen.
After returning to winning ways against Heidenheim, Frankfurt had to settle for a goalless draw in their away clash with Augsburg, before they went on to thrash RB Leipzig in last Saturday’s home outing. Ansgar Knauff netted a brace alongside goals from Hugo Ekitiké and Robin Koch to secure a 4-0 victory, representing a third consecutive home league game without conceding.
With a four point advantage over fifth spot, Dino Toppmöller's side know they can clinch a top-four finish with two games to spare if they take all three points from Sunday's fixture. However, that may be easier said than done, considering they have drawn each of their previous three away league games against Mainz.
Team News
The visitors are unable to call upon the services of Kaua Santos and Mario Götze due to knee and thigh injuries respectively.
