On Friday night, Eintracht Frankfurt will look to boost their hopes of European football next season when they welcome Mainz to the Deutsche Bank Park.
Vital game for both teams at different ends of the BundesligaEintracht Frankfurt is in sixth place in the German top-flight table, occupying the final qualification spot in the Bundesliga. However, the Eagles are just five points adrift of the Champions League spots.
Mainz are at the other end of the spectrum, as the O5ers are in the relegation play-off spot, only out of the automatic relegation spot courtesy of a superior goal difference to 17th place Koln.
The two teams' form have been contrastingUnsurprisingly, considering their respective league positions, the two teams' recent form in the Bundesliga has been contrasting.
Frankfurt is unbeaten in their last three league matches, having also won three of the previous five Bundesliga games.
Mainz is winless in seven games in the German top flight. However, five of those seven league matches have ended in draws.
Contrast in goals of lateLike their fortunes have been in contrast, so has the number of goals scored in the pair’s recent outings.
Frankfurt’s recent Bundesliga games have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in ten of their previous 11 matches. In contrast, Mainz’s last eight league games have produced under 2.5 goals scored.
Frankfurt is a difficult team to beat on home soil in the Bundesliga The Eagles have turned the Deutsche Bank Park into a bit of a fortress in the Bundesliga, as Eintracht have lost just one of their previous 18 home league games.
Mainz are winless in their last 11 away games in the German top-flight, although they have drawn their previous six league games on their travels.
What am I backing?Frankfurt is the team in the better form, and I am backing the Eagles to record a narrow victory.