Eintracht Frankfurt vs. VfB Stuttgart preview: Huge clash between European hopefuls

Eintracht Frankfurt

Die Adler emerged as 3-1 victors on the road against Bochum before the international break as they looked to secure three points and end their mini-blip regarding form.

Creating numerous big chances, five to be exact, Dino Toppmöller's men dominated proceedings at the Rurhstadion, however once again Frankfurt failed to keep a clean sheet, as has been the case across their previous 10 matches.

Eintracht currently sit three points ahead of RB Leipzig and Freiburg, with Champions League football no longer looking the formality that it did before the Bundesliga returned in January.

Winning just one of their last four in the Bundesliga, a win against Stuttgart would be a huge statement in terms of potentially ending the mixed run of form.

Team News

With veteran goalkeeper Kevin Trapp ruled out, Kaua Santos is the most likely candidate to appear in between the sticks for the hosts. 

Mario Götze could be set to shift into a deeper role due to the absences of Ellyes Skhiri, Hugo Larsson and Oscar Højlund.

Forwards Elye Wahi and Eric Ebimbe will also miss this weekend's action.

VfB Stuttgart

The international break arguably came at the perfect time for die Schwaben, after Patrick Schick's 93rd-minute winner to secure a 4-3 victory for Bayer Leverkusen simply added to the side's misfortunes that have become commonplace since their Champions League exit in late January, with Stuttgart winless in their last five.

Highly regarded head coach Sebastian Hoeneß however, put pen to paper last Saturday for a new contract stretching until 2028. 

Putting an end to speculation regarding his future, VfB supporters alike will hope that this can reignite their side's fortunes ahead of the season's crunch point.

Falling to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt back in November, Hoeneß and his side carry one notable boost with the fact that ex-Stuttgart man Omar Marmoush is unable to do any more damage following his January move to Manchester City.

Team News

Hoeneß hopes that his side's dismal injury fortunes this campaign are finally coming to an end, with all key squad members back involved in some form at Mercedesstraße, including centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou who is not scheduled to return to first-team action just yet, however, progress is being made. 

Leonidas Stergiou remains suspended following his red card against Holstein Kiel earlier this month, while Justin Diehl remains sidelined with a muscle injury.