Prediction: Royale Union SG vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.67

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Royale Union will host Frankfurt in the Conference League 1st leg play-offs. The game will be played at Lotto Park from Brussels, starting at 7:45 pm.

Royale Union SG

The hosts failed to make a good impression in this season’s European campaign finishing 3rd in Europa League’s group E. However, despite playing against difficult opponents like Liverpool, Toulouse and LASK, the Belgians managed to pull off some impressive results that kept their European campaign alive. A 2-1 mid-December home win against Premier League giants Liverpool was enough to secure Conference League football.

Alexander Blessin impressed since taking over the reins in the summer by dominating the Jupiler Pro League. His side is at the top of the table, 8 points clear from Anderlecht. Despite this impressive impact, USG suffered a big blow domestically losing the 1st leg of the Cup semifinal played away against Clubb Bruge (2-1 final score). On top of that, the hosts were surprisingly held to a draw in the last game played at home against Westerlo (2-2).

Royale Union is one of the best sides in Belgium in the games played at home. Genk was the only team that managed to win on USG’s turf (0-2 final score). Although Alexander Blessin’s side is playing the European matches at Anderlecht’s stadium, it will be a short Brussels trip for the home team’s fans.

Team News

Fedde Leysen is the only unavailable player from the Royale Unions’ team. The young and talented centre-back is still recovering from his fresh shoulder injury sustained at the end of January.

Lazare Amani and Mohammed Aoura are at the risk of being suspended if they get booked. Alexander Blessin benched some of his key players in the weekend game against Westerlo, keeping them fresh for the crucial 1st leg battle against Frankfurt.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s European campaign was disappointing this term placing them 2nd in the Conference League group G. Although the Germans started as favourites in their group with PAOK, Aberdeen and HJK, Dino Toppmoller’s team failed to meet the expectations. PAOK displayed a clear dominance winning the group with 7 points above Frankfurt. The Eagles struggled on the road losing to PAOK and Aberdeen, securing only a narrow win at Helsinki with HJK (0-1).

Frankfurt is in contention to play European football next year, sitting currently in a Conference League table position in the Bundesliga. The visitors proved to be a tough nut to crack, losing only 5 from their 21 games played in Germany’s top flight. On top of that, Dino Toppmoller’s side destroyed Bayern Munich at home with a 5-1 win. However, the visitors are struggling on the road losing 5 of their last 7 games played.

The Eagles’s defence form is dipping conceding 4 goals in the last 2 games played against accessible sides. A 2-2  away draw at struggling Darmstadt followed by a 2-0 loss at Koln should be a major concern for Topmoller. Facing an incoming difficult battle against Royale Union, the German coach needs to hold the lines to avoid a disaster in Brussels.

Team News

Frankfurt is facing a major crisis with many players being unavailable to make the Brussels trip due to injuries and suspensions. Dino Topmoller will struggle to line up a competitive line-up, needing to use inexperienced players.

Mehdi Loune (cruciate ligament tear) and Hugo Larsson (hamstring injury) are out. Kevin Trapp, the experienced goalkeeper, has suffered a back injury and is out for this clash.

Key factors to consider

• Royale Union SG had impressive results at home this season losing only one competitive game
• The hosts’ form is dipping failing to win in the last 2 matches
• Alexander Blessin’s side never played an official game against Frankfurt
• Frankfurt is struggling on the road winning only 6 of their 19 games played this season
• The Eagles failed to win in the last 2 Bundesliga rounds (L1D1)
• Dino Toppmoller’s side defeated Bundesliga heavyweights like Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig

Conclusion

Royale Union SG has proven to be a difficult opponent for any side this season. The Belgians are dominating their domestic league, pulling also an impressive European win against Liverpool. However, Frankfurt is always playing on the front foot being able to score against any side. We expect an open match with many chances created at both ends. Both teams to score is a plausible outcome considering the firepower present on the pitch.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.67

Bookmaker: ZetBet