Eintracht Frankfurt take on the mid-table mediocracy in Werder Bremen on Friday evening, following a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Union Berlin.
Match Overview
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt will be highly disappointed that they didn't come away from their home ground, the Deutsche Bank Park, with more than a point last weekend against Union Berlin.
With an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.6, they were more than deserving of at least one goal but it didn't fall for them.
Alongside this, the side named "Die Adler" have only won one of their last twenty-three home games in the Bundesliga.
In spite of this, they were 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture at the Weserstadion on matchday 11 thanks to a goal from the ex-1. FC Köln player Ellyes Skhiri and Hrvoje Smolčić.
Lastly, Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmöller said: "We have to stress the opponent. We need a completely different energy (to what we had last week)."
Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen lost last time out against VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga 2-0 to extend their run of five games without a win in the league.
Despite both teams receiving red cards, it was Werder Bremen that had to suffer with ten men first as Jung was sent off in the 43rd minute.
In injury time of the first fourty-five Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring. The same player was sent off in the second half before Wolfsburg put the nail in the coffin.
One noticeable change in Bremen over the past weeks has been the mentality. While teams like Augsburg and Heidenheim may have relished the talks of European football, it may have been a step too far for a side in the 2. Bundesliga just under two years ago.
Finally, the cover star of Werder's turnaround (Marvin Ducksch) will hope to finally score again in the league. Eight games since a goal for the German has seemed to combine with the downturn in the form for the Green-Whites.
Team News
Eintracht Frankfurt
Saša Kalajdžić is still out with his long-term knee (ACL) injury, which may have seen his loan spell from Wolves in the Premier League already over. Sebastian Rode is out with a knee issue aswell and Mehdi Loune is also unavailable with knee problems. Hugo Ekitiké will also miss the game on Friday.
Werder Bremen
Super sub Justin Njinmah is out with a hip injury and so is the ever-reliable Niklas Stark. Anthony Jung is missing with suspension and Dawid Kownacki is out with a muscular injury.
The only doubt is Michael Zetterer, who may see Jiri Pavlenka in the number one spot for the first time since October due to Zetterer's injury.
Predicted Lineups
Eintracht Frankfurt:
Trapp (c); Tuta, Koch, Pacho; Dina Ebimbe, Skhiri, Larsson, Nkounkou; Knauff, Götze; Marmoush
Werder Bremen:
Zetterer; Pieper, Veljković, Friedl (c); Weiser, Schmid, Lynen, Stage, Agu; Woltemade, Ducksch