Bundesliga | Gameweek 9

Nov 2, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt am Main)

Frankfurt vs VfL Bochum

Match preview

The home side progressed to the third round of the DFB-Pokal with a 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday, despite Arthur Theate's 15th-minute red card.

Interestingly, Theate was also dismissed in the 77th minute of the Eagles' 1-1 draw with Union Berlin in the league on 27 October, although to their credit, Eintracht Frankfurt only conceded one shot on target after being reduced to 10 men.

The Eagles have struggled in the Bundesliga of late, drawing twice and losing once in their last three games, but coach Dino Toppmoller deserves some leniency given that his side have faced champions Bayer Leverkusen, leaders Bayern Munich and fourth-placed Union Berlin in that time.

Toppmoller's side have scored 16 goals and conceded 12 in the top flight this season, making them the fourth-best attacking and seventh-best defensive side in the division.

Eintracht Frankfurt have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 league games, but while they have failed to win in their last three matches, they did win their previous four.

It should be noted that the hosts have lost just one of their last 14 home matches, winning seven and drawing six.

As for Bochum, they lost 5-0 to Bayern Munich on 27 October in a match in which the Bavarians enjoyed 72% of the possession, had 19 shots and created six good chances.

Co-managers Markus Feldhoff and Murat Ural took interim charge of their side against Bayern after Peter Zeidler was sacked following a 3-1 defeat at Hoffenheim in his final game in charge on 19 October.

The Blues have scored just seven goals and conceded 22, the second-worst attacking and second-worst defensive records in the division.

The away side are already seven points adrift of automatic safety and, having lost nine and drawn one of their last ten games, it is hard to see how they can close the gap on the teams above them any time soon.

Bochum have lost 28, drawn seven and won just four of their last 39 away games in the Bundesliga and have also lost their last five away games in all competitions.

Recent Performance

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:WWWDLD

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):WDLWDW

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:LDLLLL

Team News

Eintracht Frankfurt will be without centre-back Arthur Theate and right-back Rasmus Kristensen, so expect Tuta, Robin Koch and Aurele Amenda to form a back three in front of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

Midfielder Oscar Hojlund is not expected to return until the end of December, so Toppmoller may opt for a double pivot of Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson.

Omar Marmoush is certain to start in attack, with Mario Gotze and Hugo Ekitike possibly joining him.

Bochum will be without goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, who is suspended, and defender Bernardo, who is out until the end of November.

Patrick Drewes is likely to start in goal for the visitors, with centre-backs Tim Oermann, Ivan Ordets and Jakov Medic likely to provide cover in a back three.

Striker Myron Boadu and midfielder Matus Bero are also out, so expect Moritz Broschinski and Dani de Wit to start in attack, while Ibrahima Sissoko, Erhan Masovic and Anthony Losilla could start in midfield.

Possible starting lineups

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Amenda; Knauff, Skhiri, Larsson, Nkounkou; Gotze, Marmoush; Ekitike

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Drewes; Oermann, Ordets, Medic; Passlack, Sissoko, Masovic, Losilla, Wittek; Broschinski, De Wit