Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 German Bundesliga
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After winning the Bundesliga at Borussia Dortmund as a player, Nuri Sahin now aims to do the same as head coach, but has been dealt a tough start against Dino Toppmoller’s Eintracht Frankfurt.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday August 24th 2024: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
BORUSSIA DORTMUND PREVIEW: SAHIN AIMS TO REPLICATE SUCCESS AS A BVB PLAYER IN HEAD COACH ROLE
In a normal season, Borussia Dortmund would’ve missed out on qualifying for the Champions League in 2023-24 after finishing fifth-place in the Bundesliga. But with five spots available for German teams due to the tournament’s expansion and the country’s high co-efficient ranking, BVB managed to sneak in despite a subpar domestic campaign.
In Europe however, it was a different story as Dortmund made it all the way to the 2023-24 Champions League final at Wembley, beating the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid and PSG on the way. Although they had their chances, Real Madrid defeated them 2-0 in the final in what was Edin Terzic’s last game in charge. After taking their time sourcing a replacement, BVB settled on former player and assistant head coach Nuri Sahin.
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT PREVIEW: LEVERKUSEN HOPING TO REPLICATE MAGICAL CAMPAIGN
Dino Toppmoller’s first season in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt saw him secure a sixth-place finish, securing qualification for the Europa League. Frankfurt are no strangers to balancing domestic and European commitments, so Toppmoller and his squad will no doubt adapt as appropriate in a bid to secure a first major trophy since their Europa League triumph back in 2022.
They have been forced to sell a big-name player after defender Willian Pacho was subject to a reported €40m bid from French giants PSG, which was ultimately successful. Toppmoller will need to readjust his backline as appropriate.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND TEAM NEWS: DEBUT LIKELY FOR ANTON BUT NOT FOR INJURED GUIRASSY
Borussia Dortmund made a double splash in the transfer window, signing Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy from second-placed Stuttgart. But whilst Anton should start in defence for BVB, striker Guirassy is yet to recover from a knee injury, so won’t feature for the hosts just yet.
PREDICTED XI: (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bynoe-Gittins; Can, Gross; Malen, Sabitzer, Brandt; Adeyemi
UNAVAILABLE: Guirassy (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Watjen (Injured)
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT TEAM NEWS: KNEE PROBLEM RULES OUT MIDFIELDER LOUNE
The only player Dino Toppmoller is expected to be without for this one is Moroccan youth international Mehdi Loune. The 20-year-old’s knee injury rules him out, but aside from that, a full squad is likely to be available for selection.
PREDICTED XI: (4-2-3-1): Trapp; Dina Ebembe, Tuta, Koch, Nkounkou; Skhiri, Larsson; Marmoush, Gotze, Chaibi; Ekitike
UNAVAILABLE: Loune (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BORUSSIA DORTMUND VS EINTRACHT FRANKFURT PREDICTION
Borussia Dortmund home fixtures are known to be entertaining and that is unlikely to change with Nuri Sahin at the help. Expect them to come flying out of the blocks in an attempt to strike early against Eintracht, who will have to withstand heavy pressure. But the visitors, with plenty of excellent players within their squad including former BVB star Mario Gotze will be confident of fashioning some big opportunities themselves.
An entertaining and possibly end-to-end battle awaits at Signal Iduna Park and it would be no surprise to see goals on the menu. With home advantage in their favour, back Borussia Dortmund to win, but with both teams to score when considering Eintracht’s offensive threat.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND VS EINTRACHT FRANKFURT TIP: BORUSSIA DORTMUND TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
