After a loss and a draw in space of just one week, Bundesliga league leaders FC Bayern Munich will be keen to get back to the winning ways when they visit, Eintracht Frankfurt in their intimidating Commerzbank Arena.
The reigning German champs were on a five-game winning streak since the start of the season until they came up against the surprise package FC Cologne 1:1. Joshua Kimmich’s header gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side a lead before the half time but Anthony Modeste’s brilliant karate kick outsmarted goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to equalise in the second half.
Eintracht, on the other hand, are enjoying a much improved season, compared to their last campaign, where they were almost relegated to the second division. The Eagles are currently Eighth in the table and have taken 10 points to date – their best tally at this stage of a season since 2012/13 (16). They ended that campaign in sixth place. Niko Kovac’s side are also unbeaten at home this campaign, Die SGE have failed to muster a win in their previous two Bundesliga matches.
The focal point of Eintracht’s success is due to the much-disciplined defence, a greatly compact midfield supervised by new signing Omar Mascarell and the much-improved offence. The ascension of David Abraham, have been one of the foremost reasons behind Eintracht’s defensive credibility this season. Managing almost three interceptions per game, the Argentinian centre-back has averaged eight defensive actions per game!
The 17 shots on target against, meant goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had much little work to do this season, but the Finnish International has yet been crucial for Niko Kovac’s side.
The hilarious number of shots the Bavarians have managed all season (114) is enough to clarify the fact that the Reds have been pretty direct this season. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have acquired a shots ratio of 74%, meaning, 74% of their chances has ended up with a shot. However, they will be coming up against a side that has recorded exception defensive statistics this campaign. Frankfurt have conceded third least shots in the league (56), the Eagles also manage a good shot plus/minus difference of 20, fourth best in the league yet nowhere close to Bayern’s 74!
This will be the 91st Bundesliga meeting between Frankfurt and Bayern. The record champions have won 48 of the games to date (53%), making them SGE’s least favoured opponents in the top flight. The Eagles have recorded just 21 victories against FCB (D21).
FCB’s last defeat in this fixture dates back to March 2010 (2-1 A). They’re unbeaten in the subsequent 10 (W8, D2). The Bavarians are on a 757-minute run without conceding against Eintracht (a league record).
Key Facts (Credits: FourFourTwo)
- Carlo Ancelotti has guided Bayern to a tally of 16 points after six games this season (GD: +14). To contextualise this, they had 16 points and a +11 goal difference after six matches of Pep Guardiola’s first campaign in charge of the record champions.
- Bayern are unbeaten in 16 Bundesliga games (W13, D3); no other team has gone more than 11 games without defeat at the moment (1. FC Köln). They are without a win in two competitive games though (beaten by Atletico, draw vs. the Billy Goats).
- Frankfurt are unbeaten in five at home (W4, D1 – 3-3 vs. BSC on matchday five). They have lost once in front of their own fans since Niko Kovac became head coach (W5, D1).
- Robert Lewandowski is on a 438-minute competitive goal drought (over 6 hours). Thomas Müller has gone over nine hours without scoring in the Bundesliga (554 minutes).
- Seven of SGE’s 14 league goals under Niko Kovac (50%) have come from set pieces. FCB are one of three sides yet to concede from a dead ball in the top flight this season, though.
- Eintracht head coach Niko Kovac played for Bayern under Ottmar Hitzfeld (2001-2003). He made 51 competitive appearances for them (5 goals). His brother, and assistant, Robert was contracted to the record champions until 2005 (144 appearances).
Predicted Lineups
Eintracht Frankfurt: (4-1-2-1-2 formation): Lukas Hradecky; Timothy Chandler, David Abraham, Jesus Vallejo, Bastian Oczipka; Makoto Hasebe; Omar Mascarell, Szabolcs Huszti; Marco Fabian; Haris Seferovic, Alex Meier
FC Bayern: (4-3-3 formation): Manuel Neuer; Rafinha, Javi Martinez, Mats Hummels, Juan Bernat; Joshua Kimmich, Xabi Alonso, Renato Sanches; Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman
