Overview
Frankfurt has just experienced an alarming period of decline. They lost to Hoffenheim 1-3, before continuing to fall 0-2 to Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League. More worryingly, Frankfurt has conceded at least 2 goals in 7 consecutive matches.
In that context, coach Dennis Schmitt is likely to temporarily lead the team in this weekend's match. However, Albert Riera is considered the most promising candidate to sit in the hot seat, replacing Toppmoller who has just been sacked.
Despite the result crisis, Frankfurt's attack still shows certain sharpness. They scored 9 goals in the last 4 Bundesliga matches, bringing the total number of goals this season to 39 - only behind Hoffenheim (40) and Bayern Munich (72).
However, Frankfurt's overall performance is very disappointing. They have not won their last 7 matches in all competitions (4 losses), and have only won 1/5 previous matches. At their home ground Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt has only won 1/6 of their last matches, losing 3.
In the opposite direction, Leverkusen entered the match with certain confidence. Although only winning against Werder Bremen 1-0, they completely overwhelmed when creating four clear chances, possessing an xG of over 2.5, and at the same time almost did not give the opponent any dangerous opportunities.
Leverkusen is currently only 4 points behind fourth place RB Leipzig - the last Champions League spot. The upcoming schedule also opens up opportunities for acceleration when they will face 4/8 bottom teams in the next 5 matches after this confrontation.
Notably, "Die Schwarzroten" won against Frankfurt 3-1 in the first leg in September 2025, extending their 6-game winning streak against this opponent.
However, Leverkusen is also not really stable. The victory over Bremen is only the third victory in the last 5 rounds of the Bundesliga - a period when they scored 7 goals but conceded 6 times. More broadly, the away team has lost 4/7 recent matches in the league.
Coach Kasper Hjulmand is also under pressure as Leverkusen has lost 3/4 of their most recent away matches in all competitions, and also lost 3/4 of their recent away matches in the Bundesliga.
Personnel situation
Frankfurt continues to suffer losses when many players are sidelined due to injuries. Notably, two strikers Michy Batshuayi and Jonathan Burkardt are absent, while Can Uzun is having problems in the thigh area.
In the opposite direction, Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga just joined the team on loan from Nottingham Forest in January. He is expected to start in attack, playing alongside Ritsu Doan and Fares Chaibi.
Hugo Larsson's passes from midfield could be the key for Frankfurt. However, the trio of defenders Nnamdi Collins, Robin Koch and Arthur Theate need to significantly improve their defense if the home team wants to aim for victory.
On Leverkusen's side, center-back Loic Bade is suspended. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken is being treated for a knee injury and may be out until March.
In the lower line, midfielder Robert Andrich is likely to be pulled back to play in the three-center-back system with Jarell Quansah and Jeanuel Belocian. This trio will guard in front of goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.
Expected lineup:
Eintracht Frankfurt: Santos Collins, Koch, Theate, Kristensen, Larsson, Skhiri, Brown, Doan, Chaibi, Kalimuendo.
Bayer Leverkusen: Blaswich, Quansah, Andrich, Belocian, Vazquez, Maza, Garcia, Grimaldo, Hofmann, Tillman, Schick.
The match between Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen takes place at 9:30 PM on January 31st (Vietnam time).
