Verdict: Frankfurt to score over 1.75 goals
Best odds: 2.09
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Augsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt are directly contending for the last qualifying spot for next season’s upcoming Conference League place in a crucial game held Friday night at Deutsche Bank Park Stadium. More than 50,000 fans will support the home team in an attempt to propel their favourites to a victory and set them in the 6th-place race pole position.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt have fought on several fronts this season but with mixed results. Despite making it to the Conference League knockout phase, the home team’s European adventure ended in Belgium following an intense doubleheader against Royale Union. The European dream ended when Dino Topmoller’s team unexpectedly suffered a fall, losing 2-1 at home, despite the fantastic result in Belgium (2-2).
Frankfurt bounced back swiftly from this unfortunate outcome, however, winning the next league games and holding a temporary spot for the same European competition next year thanks to strong performances. The home team played poorly in the previous games, even though Stuttgart and Dortmund were the only teams to defeat the Eagles in the league after expulsion from Europe.
Three straight draws at home against teams considered more accessible (Wolfsburg, Union Berlin, and Werder Bremen) demonstrate the season-ending decline in momentum brought on by weariness and a lack of depth in the squad.
For Dino Topmoller’s team, the season finale is sure to be intense as they go to Munich to play the now former champions Bayern Munich and then host the reigning champions, Bayer Leverkusen. In addition, the final two rounds will determine Frankfurt’s fate. The team has to win both games to have a solid season finale with a difficult trip to Monchengladbach and a home game against RB Leipzig.
Team News
February was a terrible month for Eintracht Frankfurt which saw three players sidelined for the rest of the season. Sasha Kalajdzic and Mehdi Loune suffered terrible cruciate ligament tears while Sebastian Rohde joined them in the recovery room with knee problems.
Augsburg
Midway through October 2023, Augsburg made a wise choice by appointing Jess Thorup as team manager. The squad was in danger of going down, but under the guidance of the accomplished Danish coach, they could make it to the Conference League for the following season.
But it took the players a while to get used to the new manager’s tactical concepts, and it was in February that Augsburg suddenly shot up the Bundesliga, moving from the bottom part of the standings to seventh place. The remarkable rise is understandable given the outstanding outcomes attained throughout this time.
The visitors’ recent performance is more similar to a top side than that of a team that was previously fighting to avoid relegation, with five wins, one draw, and only one defeat in the last seven games. Furthermore, Augsburg will attempt to duplicate two previous outstanding performances, this time at the Deutsche Bank Park Stadium: the unbelievable victory at Darmstadt (0-6) and the decisive win in Wolfsburg (1-3).
Like their opponents tonight, the visitors will have an upcoming difficult schedule, including games against elite teams like Dortmund and Stuttgart, and a finale against the new champions, Bayer Leverkusen, making the Frankfurt clash even more important.
Team News
Despite facing a major injury crisis with eight players unavailable to make the Frankfurt trip, Augsurg has proved to have valuable replacements in the recent games. However, speeding up the recovery of some key figures might be of great value at the end of the season, considering the difficult games remaining. Also, four players are at risk of suspension, making Jess Thorup’s mission increasingly difficult at this end stage.
Key factors to consider
- Frankfurt is difficult to defeat at Deutsche Bank Park Stadium losing a single game this term in the Bundesliga (1-2 with Stuttgart)
- Dino Topmoller’s side’s most impressive home win was a 5-1 Bayern Munich trashing
- The hosts dropped their level in the last rounds falling to win any of their four games (D2L2)
- Augsburg went from the bottom half of the table to a Conference League qualification fight
- The visitors pulled off some impressive results lately, winning 5 of their last 7 Bundesliga games
- Jess Thorup took charge of Augsburg in mid-October last year propelling the team towards safety
Conclusion
Even though Augsburg has won five of its past seven Bundesliga games thanks to strong performances, the hosts are formidable at Deutsche Bank Park Stadium losing one match in this championship. Frankfurt is expected to fire on all cylinders and bag two or more goals past Augsburg in the top 6 decisive battle.
Verdict: Frankfurt to score over 1.75 goals
Best odds: 2.09
Bookmaker: ZetBet
