Bayern Munich to continue winning form
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Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt meet on Saturday in a preview of this season's DFB Pokal final. However, the two German rivals have three matches left in their league campaign before the finale in Berlin.
Bayern head into the fixture winners of their last four matches. Already crowned champions, Jupp Heynckes' team have one eye on the Champions League and the other on getting players healthy for the German Cup showpiece in May. That doesn't mean the Bavarians won't be ready for Frankfurt.
Die Adler are in atrocious form going into the weekend, and the club has lost four of their last six matches. Those four losses have seen a once impenetrable defence ship goals. Frankfurt have allowed 12 goals in those four losses while scoring a mere four times. Last weekend's 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Hertha Berlin came on the back of a German Cup semifinal win. At times, Frankfurt looked disinterested and content with their league position as the cup final approaches.
Frankfurt manager Nico Kovac has already been named Bayern manager for next season. Since the cat was let out of the bag by Bayern, Frankfurt's league form has dipped. Although the club are somehow still within touching distance of Europa League qualification through the Bundesliga, Frankfurt's dream of making the Champions League has gone down the drain.
Kovac has personnel issues heading into Saturday's match, making Frankfurt's attempt to save their league season even more difficult. Midfielder Makoto Hasebe is suspended due to a red card a week ago. He may miss the rest of the Bundesliga term depending on the league's final decision on his elbow to Berlin's Davie Selke. Midfielder Jonathan De Guzman could also miss the remainder of the year through a thigh injury. De Guzman has been one of Die Adler's best players this term, and the influential playmaker will be missed.
Kovac has favoured a more defensive 3-5-2 formation as Frankfurt coach. The system had made the club one of the best defensive units in the league until recently. The club have still only given up 40 goals, sixth fewest in the league.
Frankfurt's defensive formation won't bother Bayern one bit. However, the champions will be affected by a number of injuries heading into the fixture. In addition, Frankfurt arrive at the Allianz Arena in between Bayern's Champions League semifinal tie with Real Madrid. Heynckes could choose to rest key players, but Bayern's B-team has proven to be just as capable in matches this term.
Players David Alaba, Kingsley Coman and Arturo Vidal will all miss the weekend affair with Frankfurt. Despite those names missing, Bayern should continue their Bundesliga dominance as Frankfurt's form dips further.
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