RB LEIPZIG VS. EINTRACHT FRANKFURT

A huge match is coming up! RB Leipzig host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Red Bull Arena on Saturday (15:30 CET). Only one point separates RBL from SGE in the table, and both teams could further reduce the gap to the top of the table with a win. The stage is set for a real cracker.

RBL have failed to win any of their last seven competitive matches against Frankfurt, so they will be looking to put an end to that record.

We take a look at the upcoming opponent.

OPPONENT ANALYSIS: EINTRACHT FRANKFURT

Form

Eintracht Frankfurt are only one point behind RBL, currently in sixth place in the Bundesliga. It has been a very successful season for the visitors so far, having won eleven games, already one more than in the whole of last season.

A run of five Bundesliga away games in a row unbeaten ended for SGE with the 3-0 defeat against Köln. Frankfurt beat Werder Bremen 2-0 at home last weekend.

Players

Key players

Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp is solid for Eintracht in goal, and he even has hopes for a place in the German national team following Manuel Neuer’s long-term injury.

In midfield, Mario Götze has been irreplaceable since his return to the Bundesliga from Eindhoven, standing out for his key passes leading to goals and his creativity that is very important for Frankfurt’s game.

In attack, Randal Kolo Muani has put himself in the spotlight this season. The French centre-forward is prolific both at scoring goals and providing for his teammates. His record of 15 goals and 14 assists in 30 competitive games this season are very strong numbers.

Transfers

In the winter, Eintracht filled a considerable gap in its squad. Ever since their long-term regular Filip Kostic left the club for Juventus last summer, SGE were looking for an ideal replacement at left-back. They seem to have found it in Philipp Max. The 29-year-old is on loan from PSV Eindhoven and immediately earned his place in the starting line-up.

The other winter additions, Paxten Aaronson (attacking midfield, Philadelphia Union) and Simon Simoni (goalkeeper, FK Dinamo) are young players who will only strengthen the team in the long run. They have not yet been in the squad.

Team news

Only one player will not be available for Frankfurt at the weekend: Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe, who was loaned from PSG, initially intended for central midfield but moving to the right wing, is out with an ankle injury.

Head coach

Oliver Glasner has had a successful coaching career so far. After starting as assistant manager to Roger Schmidt at RB Salzburg, he moved to SV Ried and Linzer ASK, the latter of which he led to second place and into the Champions League qualification in his native Austria.

In 2019 he moved to Germany, leading VfL Wolfsburg first to the Europa League and then the Champions League. In 2021, he moved to Eintracht Frankfurt and won the Europa League in his first season, and now the 48-year-old is on course for success in his second season with the club.

Head-to-head

Overall, Eintracht have a narrow lead in the head-to-head, with four wins out of a total 14 competitive matches, while RBL have come out on top on just three occasions. Seven games have ended in a draw. Leipzig could even out the record with a win on Saturday.

Last five meetings

3rd September 2022 | Bundesliga matchday 5: Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 RB Leipzig
20th March 2022 | Bundesliga matchday 27: RB Leipzig 0-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
30th October 2021 | Bundesliga matchday 10: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 RB Leipzig
14th March 2021 | Bundesliga matchday 25: RB Leipzig 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
21st November 2020 | Bundesliga matchday 8: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 RB Leipzig