Eintracht Frankfurt welcome Hoffenheim to Deutsche-Bank Park for an important clash in the European race in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
With it still unclear whether six, seven or eight sides will earn a place in Europe directly via the top flight, this fixture could play a big role in determining who claims sixth.
Match preview
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As sixth place is the only position currently still up for grabs that will definitely secure European football next season, Frankfurt are in danger of surrendering it following a shaky start to 2024.
Early elimination from the Europa Conference League also ended their hopes of securing a Europa League spot via that route, as they were surprisingly beaten by Union SG after initially leading 2-0 in the tie.
Despite Union SG's incredible form this season, that was a huge disappointment for a side that won the Europa League in 2022, and reached the Champions League knockout stages last season.
This fixture was moved to the Sunday with the view that Frankfurt may have progressed to the last 16, but Dino Toppmoller's side have instead had all week to prepare.
Frankfurt can do so on the back of a victory too, as last week's 2-1 win over Heidenheim arrested a six-game winless streak.
There is no questioning that Toppmoller's men benefited from a huge slice of good fortune though, as the opener came via a comical own goal which saw Beneidkt Gimber's back pass bobble over the foot of goalkeeper Kevin Muller and into the back of his own net.
With there still a seven-point gap to fourth, Frankfurt can only realistically hope to hold onto sixth place, but their upcoming opponents are in form and just four points behind, making this a must-win encounter.
While there is plenty on the line for both sides, a cagey encounter is unlikely, considering both teams have scored in 12 of the last 13 meetings between the two.
The previous six clashes alone have produced a remarkable 27 goals, averaging four-and-a-half per game, and Hoffenheim come into this with a striker in red-hot form.
Maximilian Beier's back-to-back braces have helped Hoffenheim to two straight victories, a much-needed six points coming after a run of just one win in 13.
A shock 3-2 victory away to Borussia Dortmund was followed up by a 2-1 win over fellow European challengers Werder Bremen last weekend, putting a three-point gap between the sides.
Hoffenheim will have one eye on the winners of the DFB-Pokal, as that could see their current position of seventh be rewarded with a spot in Europe, but a third straight win here will put them in contention for the top six.
Team News
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Sasa Kalajdzic has already said his goodbyes to the Frankfurt squad as he will spend the rest of his loan spell in Austria receiving specialist treatment for yet another ACL tear, before returning to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the season.
Mehdi Loune remains out with the same injury, along with Sebastian Rode (knee), Robin Koch (muscular) and Philipp Max (rib) who are also absent here, while Hugo Larsson and Ellyes Skhiri have been suffering with slight knocks this week.
Hugo Ekitike faces a late fitness test to be ready for this encounter, but should he come through, he is expected to lead the line alongside Fares Chaibi and Omar Marmoush.
Hoffenheim announced this week that Dennis Geiger will be out for an indefinite period after picking up a hamstring injury last week.
That will see the midfielder join Grischa Promel and Mergim Berisha on the sidelines, while Robert Skov and Kevin Akpoguma remain doubtful in a growing injury list for the visitors.
Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo is not helped by the fact Pavel Kaderabek and Marius Bulter are both suspended this weekend, after the pair also picked up yellow and red cards respectively in the win over Bremen.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Pacho; Knauff, Skhiri, Larsson, Nkounkou; Chaibi, Marmoush, Ekitike
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kabak, Grillitsch, Brooks; Bebou, Stach, Tohumcu, Jurasek; Kramaric, Weghorst, Beier
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Hoffenheim
Frankfurt have been the stalemate specialists recently and drew three successive games in the league before their win over Heidenheim last weekend.
Against stronger opponents, though, it may be tougher for the hosts, and recent meetings suggest goals are in store here, in what should be a closely-fought encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
