Bundesliga | Gameweek 15

Dec 21, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt am Main)

Frankfurt vs Mainz

Match preview

The home side failed to create any real chances against RB Leipzig, while creating four of their own, and the defeat was their second in four games after being knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by Die Roten Bullen on 4 December.

Boss Dino Toppmoller said his team made too many little mistakes against Leipzig, but insisted he would try to give the fans an early Christmas present on Saturday, telling reporters: "Unfortunately we have made too many simple mistakes in the last ten days. We want to give our fans a pre-Christmas present and give our best again.

Toppmoller's side are six points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich and two behind second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, although they have just four more points than sixth-placed Stuttgart.

The Eagles have scored 34 goals and conceded just 20 in the top flight, the second-best attacking and eighth-best defensive records in the division.

Eintracht Frankfurt's overall form has been worrying as they have lost three of their last four matches and failed to win their last two Bundesliga games, but it should be noted that they had won their previous four league games.

The home form of the hosts has been phenomenal for some time now, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 games at Deutsche Bank Park, winning seven of them.

Their opponents, Mainz, became the first team to beat Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last weekend thanks to two goals from Jae-Sung Lee.

Coach Bo Henriksen was delighted with his players' performance and praised their courage, telling reporters: "We were really good tactically, we were there and that's important when you play against Bayern Munich. If you only defend against Bayern, you will die a slow death. If you're there, if you're calm and courageous, then it's possible [to win].

Karnevalsverein have found the back of the net 13 times in their last five games, conceding six goals but keeping two clean sheets.

Mainz have been in excellent form in recent weeks, winning four of their last five games, including a 3-1 league victory over Nuri Sahin's Borussia Dortmund on 9 November.

The visitors have also been strong on the road, winning five, drawing two and losing just one of their last eight away from home.

Recent Performance

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:WWWWDL

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):WWLDLL

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:DWWWLW

Team News

The Eagles are concerned about the availability of centre-backs Aurele Amenda and Tuta, who are sidelined until February and January respectively.

Robin Koch and Arthur Theate are likely to start in front of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, while Rasmus Kristensen and Nathaniel Brown could start at full-back.

Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson are expected to play in a double pivot behind a front pairing of Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike.

Mainz will be without winger Gabriel Vidovic, striker Jonathan Burkardt and attacking midfielder Paul Nebel, who all missed the game against Bayern Munich through injury.

Hyun-Seok Hong replaced Nebl, while Armindo Sieb came in for Burkardt, and both are likely to start on Saturday alongside striker Lee.

Defenders Moritz Jenz, Stefan Bell and Dominik Kohr could form a back three behind a central partnership of Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri.

Possible starting lineup

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

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

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Jenz, Bell, Kohr; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Hong, Lee; Sieb