Eintracht Frankfurt vs Bayern Munich: Bundesliga Matchday 14 Preview
Eintracht Frankfurt
Former Bayern Munich assistant Dino Toppmoller has not had the start he had hoped for after taking over for Oliver Glasner. While the club sits 7th (the same position Glasner led them to last season), Frankfurt and Toppmoller suffered a shock defeat midweek in the Pokal to 3. Liga side Saarbruken. Bayern fans will surely understand Frankfurt's frustration as Saarbruken ended Bayern Munich's Pokal dream the round prior. With the shock result in midweek, Frankfurt is now winless in their last five games. Frankfurt will be looking to climb back into the European places when they host Bayern Munich on Saturday.
**Frankfurt has used many different shapes this season. I expect them to line up in a 3-4-2-1 shape to stop Bayern's devastating attack.**
Kevin Trapp has been a staple in goal for Frankfurt. He will certainly get the start again on Saturday. Across the back three, I look for the Brazilian Tuta to start on the right, Leeds loanee Robin Koch to be in the middle of the back three, and Frankfurt's new signing Willian Pacho to start on the left.
In front of the back three, Aurelio Buta should start as the right wing-back, with Philipp Max getting the start opposite him as the left wing-back. Centrally, Swedish youngster Hugo Larsson who signed from Swedish side Malmo this summer has had a strong start to his Bundesliga career and will look to help slow down Bayern's attack. Besides Larsson, Tunisian Ellyes Skhiri will start after arriving from FC Koln this summer.
Fares Chaibi was signed this summer from French side Toulouse to add a creator to their attack, and he should start on Saturday as one of the two attacking midfielders. Eric Ebimbe gives Frankfurt a nice compliment to start alongside Chaibi as he balances the midfield with his mobility and strength. Omar Marmoush was brought in to replace the production of Randal Kolo Muani, and he has done plenty to provide a scoring threat to the Frankfurt side as he has scored 6 goals in his first 13 Bundesliga matches.
Eintracht Frankfurt Predicted Starting XI
Trapp
Tuta-Koch-Pacho
Buta-Larsson-Skhiri-Max
Chaibi-Ebimbe
Marmoush
Score Prediction
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Bayern Munich (Kane and Musiala)
Bayern Munich are visiting Frankfurt at the right time as Frankfurt are coming off a shocking result midweek, and are now facing a rested Bayern Munich side that seems to finally be inching towards full strength. Deutsche Bank Park is not an easy place to play, and the fans will make it difficult, but with Frankfurt's poor run of form, I see Bayern Munich pulling off a narrow 2-1 result. Harry Kane will score a goal, and Musiala will slip through the defense to increase the lead. Frankfurt will deny Bayern the clean sheet.