Bundesliga | Gameweek 16

Jan 11, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Millerntor-Stadion

St Pauli vs Frankfurt

Match preview

Despite Stuttgart's five clear-cut chances, the Kiezkicker should be commended for keeping that number to themselves, and the fact that they beat last season's Bundesliga runners-up should not be underestimated.

Head coach Alexander Blessin admitted that his side had to position their defensive line deeper than they would have liked against Stuttgart, but he was still delighted with the performance, saying: "We were really aggressive in the right areas and had some good turnovers. The goal was a huge relief.

"You can't keep Stuttgart away from your goal for the entire 90 minutes, that's clear, and we defended a little deeper, which means they'll always create chances. The way we defended and threw ourselves in the way of every ball was simply magnificent."

St Pauli's record in recent weeks has been mixed, with three wins and four defeats in their last seven league games, although two of those defeats came against giants Bayern Munich and champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Blessing's side have been one of the best defensive sides in the Bundesliga, with their five clean sheets only surpassed by RB Leipzig and Bayern.

The hosts have won just once in seven top-flight home matches this season, and have conceded just one goal in that time.

Their opponents, Eintracht Frankfurt, will be concerned that they were unable to overcome Mainz, who were reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute of a 1-0 win.

Dino Toppmoller's side looked like a genuine title contender at the start of the season, but they are now nine points behind leaders Bayern.

Toppmoller aired his frustration in the aftermath of the defeat against Mainz, telling reporters: "The result feels strange. We had a great opening period, great energy on the pitch and could've led 2-0 after 15 minutes. Suddenly we're 2-0 down, though.

"We tried everything, kept pushing, brought on fresh legs, changed things around and had some gilt-edged chances. Overall we did a lot of things really well. We're conceding goals too easily – the third goal was also avoidable."

The Eagles' form is worrying as they have lost four and drawn one of their last five games in all competitions, conceding 13 goals and finding the back of the net six times.

Eintracht Frankfurt have also been outscored 8-3 in their last three away games and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 Bundesliga games.

Recent Performance

St Pauli Bundesliga form:LLWLLW

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:WWWDLL

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):WLDLLL

Team News

St Pauli's extensive injury list should be cleared up by the end of January, but they could be without striker Elias Saad, centre-back Karol Mets and midfielder Robert Wagner for a few more days.

Jackson Irvine and Carlo Boukhalfa have been regulars in midfield and are likely to feature again on Saturday, although Connor Metcalfe has been left out of the matchday squad.

Striker Simon Zoller has also been ruled out, so expect Johannes Eggestein to start up front alongside strikers Oladapo Afolayan and Morgan Guilavogui.

Goalkeepers Sascha Burchert, Soren Ahlers and Ben Alexander Voll, as well as full-back Lars Ritzka, will not play this weekend.

Nikola Vasilj could start between the sticks, while full-backs Philipp Treu and Manolis Saliakas could line up either side of a back three.

The only injury concern for the visitors is centre-back Aurele Amenda, who is expected to return to action in February.

Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch and Arthur Theate are likely to start at the back, while Tuta, Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson could form a double pivot.

Possible starting lineup

St Pauli possible starting lineup:

Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Nemeth; Saliakas, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Treu; Afolayan, Eggestein, Guilavogui

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Kristensen, Koch, Theate; Knauff, Skhiri, Tuta, Larsson, Brown; Ekitike, Marmoush