Mainz 05 vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: In-form Frankfurt go for another win
Eintracht Frankfurt are hoping to continue their hot run of form away to Mainz, who badly need the World Cup break to sort out their issues on the pitch.
Mainz 05
Following a 5-0 demolition of Köln, 12th-place Mainz have since lost heavily to both Bayern and Wolfsburg, while disastrously dropping all three points against Schalke midweek.
The Carnival club could desperately use some goals from Karim Onisiwo and Marcus Ingvartsen up front, as they’ve failed to put anything on the scoresheet in their last two games. Mainz sit third-worst in the Bundesliga in goals scored this season.
They also haven’t won the final match of a calendar year since 2013.
Bo Svensson said, "The game against Schalke was disappointing but we're picking ourselves up and we're fully focusing on Frankfurt. - It is the final game before the break and we want to make the most of it."
Team News
Maxim Leitsch and Marlon Mustapha remain out.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt have won seven of their last eight competitive games and are really playing some exciting, must-watch football. Oliver Glasner deserves lots of credit for revitalizing the career of Mario Götze and turning Randal Kolo Muani into an unstoppable force.
With 31 goals through 14 matches, Frankfurt sit only behind Bayern in offensive efficiency on the season. Defensively, Hrvoje Smolcic may have to start alongside Evan Ndicka and Tuta because Kristijan Jakic is questionable due to a swollen ankle.
Bundesliga Rookie of the Month Junior Dina Ebimbe will likely start on the right again for Die Adler, while Ansgar Knauff and Luca Pellegrini are still splitting duties at left-back for the 5th-place side.
Glasner commented, “We’re looking forward to finishing off at Mainz. It’s a nice short journey. We want to reproduce our very positive performances over the last few weeks, preferably even take it up a notch and win.”
Team News
Jakic and Sebastian Rode are questionable, while Makoto Hasebe, Christopher Lenz and Aurelio Buta aren’t ready for a return.