Tottenham vs Eintracht Frankfurt Preview

• Draw or Spurs to win
• Over 2.5 goals

Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Europa League campaign has taken on a decisive tone, with the quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt carrying huge implications both on and off the pitch.

With the Premier League route to European qualification all but closed, Tottenham must now win the Europa League to secure a UEFA Champions League berth next season.

For manager Ange Postecoglou, who has come under increasing pressure, this competition represents a final opportunity to validate his tenure in north London.

Spurs’ European fortress

Tottenham’s home form in Europe has been exemplary in recent years. Since the start of the 2020/21 campaign, Spurs have avoided defeat in 18 consecutive home European games (W15, D3), excluding the walkover awarded to Rennes.

That impressive run includes their comeback 3-2 victory over Frankfurt in the 2022/23 Champions League group stage and was most recently extended by a 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the last 16 to seal a narrow 3-2 aggregate triumph.

That result will inspire confidence ahead of the visit from Frankfurt, who are familiar opponents for the Lilywhites.

However, the German side’s ability to strike first and test Tottenham’s defensive resilience will be a key narrative, particularly after their narrow loss in Lyon earlier this season, where they again took the lead but fell to a 3-2 defeat.

Frankfurt back on the continental stage

Frankfurt arrive in north London with a strong European pedigree, having lifted the Europa League trophy as recently as the 2021/22 season.

This quarter-final marks their first appearance in the last eight of a European competition since that success, and their path here was paved with back-to-back wins over Ajax in the Round of 16.

The Eagles are no strangers to European knockout football, with this marking their sixth appearance in a UEFA knockout phase over the past seven seasons.

Having triumphed 2-1 away at Ajax earlier in this campaign, they’ll believe they can spring another surprise, even if they enter this tie as underdogs.

Their record on the road in this season’s UEL highlights their ability to grind out results under pressure, and although they lost to Spurs two seasons ago in the Champions League, their familiarity with the surroundings may help settle any nerves early on.

Tactical considerations and previous meetings

Tottenham will likely deploy an aggressive approach at home, knowing that a first-leg advantage could prove pivotal.

Their previous meetings with Frankfurt offer some encouragement, particularly the aforementioned 3-2 victory which featured a high-intensity second-half performance.

However, Spurs have also shown vulnerability when conceding first, and Postecoglou’s men will need to guard against early lapses.

With Frankfurt scoring first in both their defeat to Lyon and their recent domestic fixtures, how Tottenham respond to any early setbacks could shape the tie.

For Frankfurt, managing the game will be key. They’ve lost leads against both Tottenham and Lyon in recent seasons and will need to show more composure and tactical discipline if they are to secure a positive result ahead of the return leg in Germany.

Players to watch

Wilson Odobert: The young forward could be a surprise package for Tottenham.

He scored both of his first two goals for the club in the home leg against AZ Alkmaar and looks to be growing in confidence. His pace and movement could trouble Frankfurt’s defence, especially in transition.

Mario Götze: A veteran of European football, Götze scored twice in Frankfurt’s last Europa League outing and remains a technically gifted playmaker capable of influencing high-stakes games.

Having faced Tottenham more than any other club, albeit with five defeats in five encounters, he’ll be motivated to finally turn the tide.

Key statistics

• Tottenham are unbeaten in 18 European home matches since 2020/21 (W15, D3).
• Spurs defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 at home in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League.
• Eintracht Frankfurt are in their first European quarter-final since winning the Europa League in 2021/22.
• The German side have won away at Ajax this season and have scored first in both of their defeats to Spurs and Lyon.
• Tottenham have conceded first in three of their last four European fixtures.

Conclusion

This is a pivotal night for Tottenham, with European survival and Postecoglou’s long-term future on the line.

Their impressive home record suggests they are favourites to take a lead into the second leg, but Frankfurt’s European nous and ability to strike early should not be underestimated.

If Spurs can manage the tempo and control the game from midfield, they have enough firepower to carve open the visitors. However, should Frankfurt score first, nerves could creep in at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Prediction

Tottenham 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Spurs to edge the first leg in a closely contested affair, but the tie remains finely balanced heading into the return leg in Germany.

For more info on this game, you may also visit:
Tottenham vs Frankfurt | UEFA Europa League 2024/25