Stuttgart vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Two top-six sides go head-to-head
| Photo: Jeollo, VfB-exklusiv.de, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Stuttgart
Stuttgart edged out Borussia Dortmund last weekend to move closer to securing Champions League qualification. Serhou Guirassy’s first-half effort proved enough to secure a narrow 1-0 win at Signal Iduna Park.
The third-placed side are now seven points clear of RB Leipzig and Dortmund, while they are also level on points with Bayern Munich in second position. Although their sole objective is to secure a top-four spot, Stuttgart still have a role to play in the Bundesliga title picture. With 16 points separating them from Leverkusen, die Schwaben know that a defeat against Frankfurt combined with a Bayern Munich loss would result in Leverkusen being crowned champions on Saturday evening.
Stuttgart will certainly fancy their chances of avoiding defeat, having put together a nine-game unbeaten home league run since losing to Hoffenheim in October. The hosts will have the chance to complete a league double over Frankfurt after recording a 2-1 victory in November’s reverse fixture.
Team News
Josha Vagnoman, Anthony Rouault, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Samuele di Benedetto and Nikolas Nartey are all ruled out through injury. Meanwhile, Sebastian Hoeneß will have to make a late decision on the availability of goalkeeper Alexander Nübel.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt have gone three games without a win since recording back-to-back victories at the start of March. After falling to a 3-1 defeat in their away meeting with Dortmund, Frankfurt have gone on to play out consecutive home draws against Union Berlin and Werder Bremen. Those results extended their unbeaten home league run to eight matches, but they have seen four of their last five Bundesliga home games finish all square.
Despite being hampered by a number of draws, Dino Toppmöller’s side are still on course to finish in sixth position, with die Adler currently boasting a six-point gap to the chasing pack. However, their hopes of adding three more points to their tally may be tempered by the fact they have won just two of their previous nine top-flight away matches.
The visitors can at least take confidence from the fact they have won each of their last three away meetings against Stuttgart.
Team News
Frankfurt are unable to call upon the injured quartet of Ellyes Skhiri, Sebastian Rode, Mehdi Loune and Sasa Kalajdzic. Meanwhile, Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe and Tuta will both miss out through suspension.
