Verdict: Draw no Bet – Eintracht Frankfurt
Best Odds: 5/1
Bookmaker: Bet365
Eintracht Frankfurt have come a long way since almost getting relegated last season and Die Adler now have a wonderful chance to cap their season with a major domestic trophy if they manage to beat out-of-form Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal on Saturday.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Bundesliga minnows Eintracht Frankfurt are coming off from what has been a rather successful domestic season. After struggling with relegation fears the season before, the Eagles somewhat surprisingly decided to appoint a relatively inexperienced head coach. Former Croatia international Niko Kovac managed his homeland’s national team for two years prior to arriving to Germany for his first ever club managerial role. Kovac was given a diverse squad at Eintracht Frankfurt, composed of various internationals from all over the world. Backed by the club chairman Fredi Bobic, the Croat did a great job in balancing his team and went on to finish the season at a respectful 11th place. Cherry on top of a successful season is definitely a place in the DFB Pokal final where Eintracht Frankfurt have a chance to cap their campaign with a piece of silverware. Four-time German Cup winners beat Borussia Monchengladbach in the semi-final and will hope to do the same with their namesakes from Dortmund.
Team News
In-form Manchester United loanee Guillermo Varela was suspended after getting a tattoo against the club’s advice and will be sent back to Manchester.
Niko Kovac will also be without Hasebe, Mascarell, Stendera and Wolf, whereas Ordonez’s fitness will be given a late test ahead of the game.
Borussia Dortmund
Third-place Bundesliga finish is not a result that can qualify as a success for the German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund. Thomas Tuchel’s men have lost the total of 6 league matches this year, whereas they struggled win more than 18 and that seems to be the biggest problem this season for the BVB. Die Borussen have paid the price for lack of consistency in their results this season, which has put a great deal of pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s successor. Tipped to be the next big thing in German football, Thomas Tuchel, for his own part, disappointed with his tactical inconsistency and saw his relationship with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke deteriorate over the past month and a half, especially after the tragic bus attack less than 24 hours before the Champions League quarter-final tie against AS Monaco. The forthcoming summer is likely to bring plenty of changes at Westfalenstadion and manager Tuchel might not be the only one to leave the club. The BVB’s top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is poised to leave the German club when transfer window opens and the following match could very well be his last-ever in a Dortmund shirt.
Team News
Mario Gotze’s season has long been finished with his gastric illness, while Thomas Tuchel will have a couple of more selection worries.
Larsen is suffering from a broken leg, whereas Andre Schurrle is still nursing his ankle injury. What is more Julian Weigl has the same problem and will be unavailable for selection.
Key Factors to Consider
- Eintracht Frankfurt failed to win any of their last 4 matches in the Bundesliga
- Dortmund have been alternating between wins and draws for the past 5 games
- There hasn’t been a draw in the last 11 meetings between the two sides
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the total of 39 goals for Dortmund
- Both teams failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches
Conclusion
Eintracht Frankfurt cannot be easily written off in the DFB Pokal. Niko Kovac’s men are determined to cap a brilliant season with a major trophy, whereas the pressure is definitely on Borussia Dortmund who are coming off from a difficult season. A surprise might be on the cards here.
Verdict: Draw no Bet – Eintracht Frankfurt
Best Odds: 5/1
Bookmaker: Bet365
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