Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt are set to host VfL Bochum on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in the Bundesliga.
The Eagles are sixth in the league with 14 points from eight matches and are only one point from fourth-placed Union Berlin, who occupy the division's final Champions League qualification spot, while the away side are last in 18th place with just one point.
Match preview
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The home team reached the third round of the DFB-Pokal when they beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 last time out on Wednesday, despite Arthur Theate's red card in the 15th minute.
Interestingly, Theate was also dismissed in the 77th minute of the Eagles' 1-1 draw with Union Berlin in the league on October 27, though to Eintracht Frankfurt's credit they only conceded one shot after being reduced to 10 men.
The Eagles have struggled in the Bundesliga of late considering they have drawn twice and lost once in their last three games, but manager Dino Toppmoller deserves some leniency given his side have played champions Bayer Leverkusen, leaders Bayern Munich and fourth-placed Union Berlin in that period.
Toppmoller's team have scored 16 times and conceded 12 goals in the top flight this season, and these records make them the division's fourth-best offensive and seventh-best defensive side.
Eintracht Frankfurt have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 league games, but while they have not won in their three most recent matches, they did win their prior four Bundesliga fixtures.
It should be noted that the hosts have only lost one of their last 14 home matches, winning seven and drawing six in that time.
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As for Bochum, they lost 5-0 against Bayern Munich on October 27, a match in which the Bavarians accumulated 72% possession, produced 19 shots and created six big chances.
Joint managers Markus Feldhoff and Murat Ural took interim charge of their side's match against Bayern after Peter Zeidler was sacked having lost 3-1 against Hoffenheim in his final game in charge on October 19.
Die Blauen have scored just seven times and conceded on 22 occasions, and these are the division's second-worst offensive and second-worst defensive records.
The away side are already seven points from automatic safety, and considering they have lost nine and drawn one of their 10 most recent games, it is difficult to see how they can close the gap to the sides above them in the near future.
Bochum have lost 28, drawn seven and won just four of their last 39 away fixtures in the Bundesliga and have also lost their last five games on the road in all competitions.
Team News
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Eintracht Frankfurt will be without centre-back Arthur Theate and right-back Rasmus Kristensen, so expect Tuta, Robin Koch and Aurele Amenda to form a back three in front of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
Midfielder Oscar Hojlund is not scheduled to return until late December, so perhaps Toppmoller will field a double pivot consisting of Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson.
Omar Marmoush is certain to start in the forward line, and he may be joined by Mario Gotze and Hugo Ekitike.
Bochum come into the clash without goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, who is internally suspended, as well as defender Bernardo until late November.
The visitors will likely start Patrick Drewes in goal, and he could be protected by centre-backs Tim Oermann, Ivan Ordets and Jakov Medic in a back three.
Striker Myron Boadu and midfielder Matus Bero are also set to miss out, so expect Moritz Broschinski and Dani de Wit to feature in the forward line, while Ibrahima Sissoko, Erhan Masovic and Anthony Losilla may start in the centre of the pitch.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Amenda; Knauff, Skhiri, Larsson, Nkounkou; Gotze, Marmoush; Ekitike
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Drewes; Oermann, Ordets, Medic; Passlack, Sissoko, Masovic, Losilla, Wittek; Broschinski, De Wit
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 VfL Bochum
Eintracht Frankfurt will be confident of victory given their impressive home form, although they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet considering their concerning defensive record.
While Bochum will be hoping to enjoy a period of relative success under new management, it would not be surprising if results did not improve until a permanent manager was appointed.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
