Competition: German Bundesliga 2016-17
Date: Saturday, 11th March, 14:30 GMT
Stadium: Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt Preview and Prediction
Bayern Munich can strengthen their grip on the title in week 24 as they host an Eintracht Frankfurt searching for answers.
Eintracht Frankfurt have gone a month without winning in the league as they travel to Munich to take on record champions Bayern Munich on matchday 24. Its been an excellent week for Bayern as they took care of business in Köln with a comprehensive victory before bringing down the pain with a 5-1 victory against a laughable Arsenal. Meanwhile Eintracht Frankfurt came up short again as they were dispatched in the capital by European bidders Hertha Berlin. Eintracht are desperate for a victory to break the slump and a surprise on week 24 would be welcomed whilst another Bayern victory will make them one step closer to retaining the Meisterschale.
LAST TIME OUT
Köln 0-3 Bayern Munich
You could excuse Bayern Munich for being over confident entering their clash with Köln after they embarrassed Hamburg 8-0 last time out in the league. But like any world class side, Bayern turned on the pressure from the get go by not allowing Köln to get into the contest. The record champions would create multiple chance in the early going and would be rewarded on 25 minutes when Thiago’s delightful corner found the unlikely head of Javier Martinez as he gave Bayern in the lead. They would go into the break 1-0 ahead, but the reward for effort would come in the second half.
Only three minutes into the second half and Bayern would get the perfect start as Juan Bernat’s shot deflected off Paweł Olkowski to beat the stranded Thomas Kessler. Bayern released the pressure and Köln had a chance through substitute Dominic Maroh but his header failed to trouble Manuel Neuer. The third would come right on 90 minutes as the returning Frank Ribery was played the ball by Juan Bernat and smashed the ball into the back of the net to give Bayern all 3 points and a 7 point cushion atop the table.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Freiburg
It had been a rough three weeks for Niko Kovač and Eintracht Frankfurt however they were looking to build on their midweek victory in the DFB Pokal against Arminia Bielefeld as they played Freiburg at home. The hosts started brightly and on 11 minutes took the lead as Michael Hector long ball found Ante Rebić who was challenged in the area before Branimir Hrgota mopped up to beat Alexander Schwolow, it was only Frankfurt’s fourth league goal of 2017.
However, the lead wouldn’t last long for Frankfurt as Freiburg would reply on 25 minutes when a piercing long through ball found Florian Niederlechner who rounded Lukas Hrádecky and calmly finished to level the scores. Frankfurt thought they had retaken the lead after Ante Rebić headed past Schwolow from the the set piece, however referee Günter Perl saw a blantant foul by Mijat Gaćinovć on the goal keeper. They would be made to pay in the second half when Vincenzo Grifo played in Florian Niederlechner who chipped the keeper for his 6th away goal of the campaign and all three points for Freiburg. The defeat leaves Frankfurt in sixth and clinging onto the last European place in the standings.
Build the wall
Before the winter break, Eintracht Frankfurt had the leagues second best defence with only 12 goals conceded in the first 16 games with only Bayern Munich possessing a better record. Since then Eintracht have shipped the same amount of goals in only 7 games since returning in late January, this has been a major concern for manager Niko Kovač but its very difficult when you have very little to select from. Frankfurt have been plagued with injuries defensively and in 2017 they are the third worst team in the league. For Frankfurt to succeed away at Bayern, they need to be defensively strong and work together to avoid making silly mistakes and opening themselves up. It will be a difficult task for Frankfurt and it will be interesting to see how they go.
Limit Robert Lewandowski
Its been another productive season for the Polish international as he continues his pursuit of winning the leading goal scoring title once again. Currently on 19 for the season which is only 2 behind Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lewandowski has a great opportunity to cut the lead as he faces a very weak defence of Eintracht Frankfurt. With nobody really sure who will line-up in Frankfurt’s back-line, one thing is for sure is that Lewandowski will be licking his lips at the opportunity to heave pain on a very weak Die Adler.
PREDICTION: Bayern Munich 3-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
Its going to be a very tough game for Eintracht Frankfurt unless Bayern play a lot of youngster which just won’t happen. Bayern come of a good week so far and I expect them to finish off with a comprehensive display against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Allianz Arena.
