Bundesliga | Gameweek 22

Feb 16, 2025 at 4.30pm UK

Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt am Main)

Frankfurt vs Holstein Kiel

Match preview

Eintracht Frankfurt failed to make the most of their chances against Borussia Mönchengladbach, scoring once from their three big chances and 2.15 xG, while conceding just 0.38 xG.

The draw was the hosts' third in a row in the league and means their position in the league's four Champions League qualification places is more precarious, with fifth-placed Stuttgart just four points behind.

Dino Toppmoller's side have scored four goals in their last three Bundesliga games and are the third most prolific side in the top flight with 46 goals in 21 league games.

The home side will be hoping for a repeat of their performance in the reverse fixture on 29 September, when they beat Holstein Kiel 4-2, although they will be hoping to be more resilient defensively than on that day, when they conceded twice despite creating only one real chance.

Although the Eagles have failed to win any of their last four matches - losing one and drawing three - they have won their previous four by a cumulative score of 9-1.

Toppmoller's side have been phenomenal at home this season, winning 10, drawing four and losing just once in 15 games at Deutsche Bank Park in 2024-25, a run that includes three wins in their last four.

Opponents Holstein Kiel were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom side VfL Bochum on 9 February, a game in which both sides created three good chances, with Holstein hitting the woodwork twice and recording a higher xG.

Die Storche have now conceded 16 goals in their last six outings, but boss Marcel Rapp will be pleased that his side have scored 14 times in that time.

Last weekend's draw saw the visitors move a point clear of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation play-off spot on 14 points.

Rapp's side have lost two and drawn two of their last four matches and have won just two of their last 12 Bundesliga games, losing eight of those.

Holstein Kiel's only away win of the season came against Alemannia Aachen in the DFB-Pokal on 17 August, and since then they have failed to win any of their 11 away games, losing eight of them.

Recent Performance

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:WWWDDD

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):WWDLDD

Holstein Kiel Bundesliga form:LWLDLD

Team News

Eintracht Frankfurt have doubts over the availability of midfielder Ellyes Skhiri, while wide man Eric Ebimbe is ruled out, so expect a midfield four of Ansgar Knauff, Oscar Hojlund, Hugo Larsson and Mario Gotze to start.

Striker Hugo Ekitike could be joined up front by Michy Batshuayi, with Igor Matanovic not expected to return until early March.

Centre-back Robin Koch will also be absent, with Rasmus Kristensen, Tuta, Arthur Theate and Nathaniel Brown likely to make up the Eagles' defence.

The visitors will be without centre-backs Carl Johansson, Colin Kleine-Beckel and Patrick Erras, whose injuries could see Rapp opt for a back three of Timo Becker, David Zec and Marco Komenda.

Lewis Holtby, Magnus Knudsen and Nicolai Remberg are likely to form a midfield trio behind a front pairing of Shuto Machino and Phil Harres.

However, strikers Alexander Bernhardsson and Steven Skrzybski have been ruled out and are unlikely to make an impact from the bench.

Possible starting lineup

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Kristensen, Tuta, Theate, Brown; Knauff, Hojlund, Larsson, Gotze; Batshuayi, Ekitike

Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:

Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Porath, Knudsen, Remberg, Holtby, Javorcek; Machino, Harres