Eintracht Frankfurt vs Bayer Leverkusen
Deutsche Bank Park is the venue as Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen face each other in a handsomely-looking Bundesliga match-up.
Despite taking the lead only 14 minutes into their midweek trip to face Tottenham Hotspur in Champions League action, Frankfurt found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline at the full-time whistle. Now nailed to the bottom of Group D, ‘Die Adler’ will be looking to redeem themselves to club supporters by defying their indifferent four-game Bundesliga form (W2, L2). Playing at home may not necessarily aid their cause, considering Oliver Glasner’s men have blown hot and cold across their opening five home league outings (W2, D1, L2). Against this backdrop, Frankfurt have racked up an eye-catching four successive Bundesliga victories over Leverkusen at home and don’t have a longer such streak against any other side in the top flight. Scoring first remains a significant factor, as Frankfurt’s last three home league results (win/loss) have been ‘to nil.’
On the other hand, Xabi Alonso painted his touchline debut at Bayer Leverkusen with flying colours, leading his new employers to an emphatic 4-0 home win over Schalke 04 last weekend. But only days after ending Leverkusen’s sub-standard four-match winless Bundesliga streak (D2, L2), Alonso had to watch his side being humiliated by Porto in midweek Champions League action 3-0 at the BayArena. Enthusiasm in the visiting camp has subsided following a woeful European performance, and their frustrating four-game Bundesliga away start (W1, D1, L2) won’t help restore it. Defending has been a genuine issue for ‘Die Werkself’ this season, as only two sides have conceded more Bundesliga goals than them (16) thus far.