TSG set for tough Frankfurt trip

Markus Gisdol on…

…the opposition:

Frankfurt are a strong attacking side; they’ve scored the fourth most goals in the league. Even though they’ve conceded the most goals, they’re still tricky to play against. They’re particularly strong on home soil, unbeaten in their last nine games at the Commerzbank-Arena. Their attack hasn’t been as prolific in the past few weeks though and that has certainly had something to do with the fact that top scorer Alex Meier has been sidelined. 

I’m expecting Eintracht to put in a solid performance at home and know that they will want to put an end to their poor run of results. We know what type of team Frankfurt are. They never give up and are always fully committed in games. It will be hard work for us.

…personnel:

There are still question marks over whether some players will be able to travel with us on Saturday, however, the situation is improving. Sejad Salihovic and Jens Grahl have both been struck down with a cold this week but returned to training today. That’s also the case for Tobias Strobl, who up until today worked individually as he was suffering with a thigh problem. Janik Haberer and David Abraham also rejoined team training.

Sven Schipplock had to pull out of training with a tightening in his muscle. We need to wait and see if he’ll be available for Saturday. Sebastian Rudy has recovered from the flu, resumed team training and is an option for the match in Frankfurt. 

...the current situation:

I still can’t say whether we’ll play with two up top like we did last time out. It’s obviously always an option for us. We could also equally start with one striker and an attacking midfielder just off him. We’ve opted to use that setup on quite a few occasions already this season. It’s worked well recently with Anthony Modeste and Adam Szalai leading the line. Anthony has unfortunately never quite had the rub of the green. He delivers good performances and is rewarded with clear-cut chances. At the moment, things just aren’t going his way. 

Previous meetings: 

There have been 11 previous Bundesliga meetings between TSG and Eintracht Frankfurt. Hoffenheim have won six times, including the clash at the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena earlier in the season which finished 3-2. Eintracht have triumphed twice and three encounters have ended in a draw. 

The opponents’ form:

Frankfurt are without a win in six league games. The last time Thomas Schaaf’s side claimed all three points was back in the middle of March courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Paderborn. Since then, they have suffered four defeats and drawn twice, conceding eleven goals and only scoring three themselves. The absence of top scorer Alex Meier is particularly noticeable. The side have the league’s leakiest defence with Kevin Trapp & Co. having shipped 60 goals. Eintracht are surely out of the running for a Europa League qualifying place. However, with 36 points to their name, it is still mathematically possible for them to achieve that feat, only though with the help of other teams.

Key battles:

In the previous meeting between the sides, which TSG won 3-2, Meier and Seferovic led the line for the visitors and at the time were considered one of the most prolific striking partnerships in the league. For the past four matchdays, however, Haris Seferovic has had to manage without his strike partner Alex Meier, who can only watch and support Eintracht from the stands after undergoing a knee operation. Since his absence, things haven’t been going as well as before for Seferovic. The Swiss forward last hit the back of the net on matchday 26 in the 3-1 defeat to Stuttgart and Eintracht have failed to score in each of their last four games. If the TSG defence can keep tabs on the Frankfurt attack, their chances of returning home with all three points will increase. As we all know, if you manage to keep a clean sheet, all it takes is one goal to snatch all three points.

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