Bayern Munich will look to seal their seventh consecutive Bundesliga title when they host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich will play hosts to a dangerous Eintracht Frankfurt side at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. The Bavarians have a two-point lead over second placed Borussia Dortmund going into the final matchday, meaning a draw would be enough to help their seal their seventh successive Bundesliga title.
They had the opportunity to do so last weekend. But, a disappointing 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig saw them drag the title-race into the final day. And a defeat to Frankfurt will force them to rely on Dortmund’s result as the Black and Yellows meet Borussia Monchengladbach on the same day.
As for Eintracht Frankfurt, it is a must-win game for them as well. The Eagles are currently sixth in the league table with 54 points, trailing Gladbach (4th) and Bayer Leverkusen (5th) by just one-point. Hence, they need a win and hope both of those teams fail to win their games against Dortmund and Hertha Berlin respectively.
Frankfurt have been one of the most impressive teams in the Bundesliga this season. They haven’t had the best run of form, of late, having failed to win in any of their last six matches in all competitions – a run which includes a dreadful 6-1 defeat at the hands of Leverkusen. Their most recent loss came against 1.FSV Mainz previous weekend and confidence will be low when they face the mighty Bavarians on Saturday.
And here at the Hard Tackle, we take a look at these two teams ahead of this highly important Bundesliga match this weekend.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
James Rodriguez and Manuel Neuer have both been ruled out going into this fixture, with the former likely to have already played his final game for the club. Neuer’s absence, on the other hand, will once again pave the way for Sven Ulreich to start in goal for Bayern.
Leon Goretzka may get the nod ahead of Javi Martinez given his performance against RB Leipzig last weekend. Thiago Alcantara will partner him in central midfield, where the Spaniard will act as the deep-lying playmaker and provide extensive defensive cover for the backline.
The defence will remain unchanged with Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba occupying the fullback slots while Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule will form the central defensive partnership.
In attack, Niko Kovac is unlikely to take any risks by starting with Arjen Robben. This will be the final game at the club for the Dutchman, who will leave Bayern at the end of the season. We can expect him to make an appearance sometime in the second-half.
Hence, we expect both Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman to retain their places in the wider attacking roles, with Thomas Muller operating as the lone attacking midfielder. The Bayern attack will be spearheaded by the league’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Alaba; Alcantara, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Despite an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Mainz in the last game, Adi Hutter is unlikely to make too many changes to his side this weekend. However, he could shift to a 3-4-1-2 formation to make room for Sebastien Haller, who has returned to full fitness.
The Frenchman has been one of Europe’s most lethal forwards this season, and his presence alongside Luka Jovic will be critical to Eintracht’s chances of securing a win against Bayern. They will be supported by Ante Rebic just in behind, in the lone attacking midfield role. The Croatian international will replace Mijat Gacinovic.
In midfield, Makoto Hasebe will be assigned a partner, considering the quality of the opponent. That means the Japanese international will be deployed alongside Gelson Fernandes in the double-pivot of Eintracht’s 3-4-1-2 shape, where the two experienced midfielders will be in charge of disrupting Bayern’s flow in midfield by cutting off their passing lanes.
Elsewhere, Danny da Costa will continue to operate as the right wing-back, with Filip Kostic starting on the opposite flank. Both of these players have impressed this season and will be essential on the counter.
And finally, in defence, Hutter will resort to the trusted combination of David Abraham, Martin Hinteregger and Simon Falette. Fans will be expecting better performances from these three, especially after a disappointing showing against Mainz last time out.
Probable Lineup: (3-4-1-2): Trapp; Abraham, Hinteregger, Falette; da Costa, Fernandes, Hasebe; Kostic; Rebic; Haller, Jovic.
Key Stats
- Bayern are undefeated in 16 of their last 17 matches against Eintracht Frankfurt in all competitions.
- The Bavarians also have a strong record at home, winning in all of their last ten Bundesliga matches at the Allianz Arena.
- Bayern have celebrated more home victories against Frankfurt (38) than any other current Bundesliga side.
- Bayern Munich will have the chance to clinch the title in a home game for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
- Bayern won their very first German championship back in 1932, thanks to a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the final.
Player to Watch
Luka Jovic
All eyes will be on Eintracht Frankfurt and whether or not they will be able to defeat Bayern Munich in order to allow Borussia Dortmund the chance to break their winning cycle in German football. And Frankfurt themselves will be hoping for Luka Jovic to show his charm against the Bavarians this weekend.
The Serbian sensation has been one of Europe’s rising stars this season, having been involved in 22 goals in just 31 league matches. His ability to hold onto the ball coupled with his excellent composure on the ball will make life difficult for the Bayern Munich defenders.
Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how he combines with the likes of Haller and Rebic, which will be crucial as Frankfurt look to catch their opponent on the break. Simply put, it will be imperative for Bayern to prevent Jovic from making an impact if they are to avoid any upset this weekend.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Despite Frankfurt’s terrible run of form going into this form, Bayern Munich will surely be rattled by their dynamic press and aggression. The Bavarians have often struggled against high-intensity oppositions, and this one will be no different. However, we expect them to secure the title with an agonizingly close 1-1 draw.