Finally back in Bundesliga action!
RB Leipzig welcome EintrachtFrankfurt to the RedBullArena on Saturday (15:30 CET). RBL (4th) sit two places above the visitors (6th) in the Bundesliga table, but nine points separate the sides.
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Dino Toppmöller’s side have picked up 24 points in the league so far and will be looking for a third away win of the campaign on Saturday.
Three of Frankfurt’s most important players will miss the game at the weekend, as they have joined up with their national sides ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Frankfurt have been busy in the winter transfer window and have bolstered their attack and midfield.
We’ve gathered everything you need to know about Frankfurt’s form, key men and record against RBL in our opponent analysis.
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Form
SGE’s recent form has been a real mixed bag. They’ve lost three of their last five games, including a defeat against third-division side 1. FC Saarbrücken in the DFB-Pokal, but also pulled off a sensational 5-1 win at homeagainst FC Bayern.
Frankfurt have struggled on the road this season, having only managed to win two of their eight away games so far. Eintracht still went into the winter break feeling positive, however, as they beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 on matchday 16.
SGE’s last five games
- 2-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach (matchday 16)
- 3-0 loss against Bayer 04 Leverkusen (matchday 15)
- 2-0 loss against Aberdeen (Europa League, matchday 6)
- 5-1 win against FC Bayern (matchday 14)
- 1-0 loss against 1. FC Saarbrücken (last 16, DFB-Pokal)
Key facts
- Eintracht Frankfurt currently sit in sixthplace. If SGE finish the season there, they’ll qualify for the Europa League.
- The Eagles have only had 172shots this campaign, which is the joint-lowest tally in the Bundesliga alongside Werder Bremen. Frankfurt’s lack of attacking firepower could be a result of star attacker RandalKoloMuani moving to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. They have, however, scored the eighth-most goals in the league, with 26.
- Twelve different players have netted for Frankfurt in the league this season. Only three other teams have had more different goalscorers (RBL lead this statistic with 14).
Statistics
- Top goalscorer: Omar Marmoush (12 goals)
- Most assists: Fares Chaibi (8 assists)
- Most goal involvements: Omar Marmoush (12 goals, 3 assists)
- Clean sheets: Kevin Trapp (4), 19 conceded – in comparison: Janis Blaswich (5), 17 conceded
Squad
Transfer market
- Frankfurt have recruited two big names in the winter transfer market. Donny van de Beek has arrived on loan from Manchester United, where he struggled to recreate the impact he had at AFC Ajax, as he caused a real stir for the Dutch side when they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2021. Xavi’s Dutch teammate will be looking to get back to his best in the Bundesliga and bolster SGE’s attack from midfield with his incisive passing and shooting ability.
- One of the attackers who will be hoping to benefit from van de Beek’s move is a familiar face for Bundesliga fans. Frankfurt have secured the signing of SasaKalajdzic on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kaladjzic played for VfB Stuttgart from 2019 and 2022 and caused havoc for opposition defenders with the aerial threat and physicality that comes with being 6’7” tall. Despite his height, Kaladjzic has good feet and will be a great addition to SGE’s strikeforce.
- Striker Lucas Alario (SC Internacional) and midfielder Marcel Wenig (loaned to 1. FC Nürnberg) have both departed the club after struggling to make an impact during the first half of the campaign.
Key players
- Since returning to Eintracht in 2018, Germany international KevinTrapp has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga. He was named the Eagles’ Man of the Match in the 2022 Europa League final, making some spectacular saves in normal time and the penalty shootout. The 33-year-old has also been playing regularly for Germany over the past few seasons.
- Robin Koch made the switch from Leeds United to Eintracht last summer. Koch (27) is one of the team leaders and has been one of Frankfurt’s key men at the back since the beginning of the season and signed a contract extension with the club until 2027 on Tuesday.
- Mario Götze’s experience in SGE’s midfield will be crucial at the weekend, especially given the players who are on international duty. The 31-year-old has looked impressive for Frankfurt after joining the side last summer, but has lost his starting spot this year. Götze always rises to the occasion in big moments, however.
- Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe has played in a number of positions this season. The 23-year-old has proved to be an extremely versatile player, having been deployed as a centre midfielder, right-winger and left-back. The Frenchman shone in Frankfurt’s shock win over FC Bayern as he scored twice. RBL’s defenders will have to be on the lookout for Ebimbe, no matter what position he’s playing in.
Absentees
- Eintracht Frankfurt are one of the clubs who will be most affected by this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Three crucial players in OmarMarmoush (top scorer), Fares Chaibi (most assists) and Ellyes Skhiri (midfield anchor) have travelled to Cote d’Ivoire with their national teams to take part in the tournament and won’t be involved in SGE’s first game back after the winter break as a result.
- Sebastian Rode (calf injury), Timothy Chandler (muscle injury) and young talent MehdiLoune (ACL tear) are all unlikely to be involved in Saturday’s match. Philipp Max is also a doubt for the game, as he is experiencing muscular problems.
Head coach
- DinoToppmöller has been SGE’s head coach since last summer. The 42-year-old has history with Leipzig, as he worked as JulianNagelsmann’sassistant during the 2020/21 season and eventually followed our former head coach to work at FC Bayern. This is the first time that the son of legendary head coach KlausToppmöller has coached a Bundesliga side.
- Eintracht have looked very defensively solid under Toppmöller, but have also played some really attractive, skilful attacking football. Some things haven’t worked out quite yet, but the side’s development has been plain to see. Toppmöller has also managed to get the best out of young players like HugoLarsson and AnsgarKnauff and help them to improve.
- Frankfurt have looked more tactically flexible under their new head coach. The past few seasons have been characterised by a three- or five-player backline with two target men up front but Toppmöller has recently opted for a 4-4-2 set-up.
RBL’s record against Frankfurt
Head-to-head
- Five wins, seven draws, four defeats – 19 goals scored, 20 conceded
- Four wins at home, no away wins, one win at a neutral venue (DFB-Pokal final)
- Top goalscorer: Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen (four goals each)
- Biggest win: 3-0 on 21st January 2017 (Goals: Compper, Werner, Vallejo own goal)
The last five games
- 3rd June 2023 | DFB-Pokal, Final: RB Leipzig 2–0 Eintracht Frankfurt
- 25th February 2023 | Bundesliga, matchday 22: RB Leipzig 2–1 Eintracht Frankfurt
- 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