Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham Preview
- Draw or Frankfurt win
- Both teams to score
Eintracht Frankfurt find themselves within touching distance of a third UEFA Europa League (UEL) semi-final in the last seven editions of the competition after earning a valuable 1-1 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg. With home advantage now shifting to Deutsche Bank Park, the two-time UEL champions will be confident of progressing to the final four, especially considering their formidable home form in European competition.
The German side have won each of their last four home fixtures in the Europa League, with their most recent being a commanding 4-1 demolition of Ajax in the Round of 16. That result not only highlighted their attacking prowess but also underlined their ability to manage big European nights under pressure. Frankfurt’s overall form on home soil is just as encouraging, with three consecutive wins at Deutsche Bank Park across all competitions, the latest of which came at the weekend in a convincing 3-0 triumph over Heidenheim.
That result also strengthened their hopes of securing UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualification through Bundesliga standings.
With that said, a draw won’t necessarily settle this tie inside 90 minutes, as half of Frankfurt’s eight previous home encounters with English opposition have ended level. However, the Eagles will feel they have the tools needed to get over the line and keep their dream of adding a third Europa League title to their cabinet alive – their last one coming in 2021/22.
Spurs Face Uphill Task
Tottenham, meanwhile, are staring at another season of European disappointment unless they can find inspiration in Germany – something their recent record suggests may be difficult. The North London outfit have played in just one European semi-final since 1984 – the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League – and that run remains the only one of their last ten UEFA knockout-stage ties that they’ve successfully navigated after failing to win the first leg at home.
More worryingly for Spurs, they have developed something of a complex when travelling to Germany for European matches. They’ve lost six of their last seven away knockout ties against German clubs (W1), including defeats to Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund in recent seasons. This daunting statistic only adds to the challenge Ange Postecoglou’s men face, especially given their underwhelming recent away form.
Tottenham’s road struggles were compounded further over the weekend when a heavily rotated squad fell to a 4-2 defeat at Molineux against Wolves – their sixth away defeat from their last seven competitive matches. The performance left fans frustrated and increased pressure on Postecoglou, with many now viewing the Europa League as the only viable route to salvaging their season.
Key Stats and Insights
- Eintracht Frankfurt are unbeaten in their last four UEL home matches (W4), scoring 13 goals in that run.
- Tottenham have lost five of their last seven UEFA knockout stage away games.
- Frankfurt have drawn four of their eight European home matches against English clubs.
- Spurs have won just once away to German opposition in European knockout rounds (W1, L6).
- The last time Spurs overturned a home draw in the first leg of a European tie was in 2019 (vs Manchester City, UCL).
Players to Watch
Hugo Ekitiké (Eintracht Frankfurt)
The French forward continues to shine in European competition. Seven of his 30 goal involvements this season have come in the Europa League, and his record of scoring in winning home fixtures (W5, L1 in last six when scoring) makes him one to watch.
His pace and movement could cause problems for a shaky Spurs backline.
Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
The South Korean forward is poised to make his club-record 68th major European appearance for Spurs, but his impact has been limited this campaign with a goal every 217 minutes in Europe.
Nonetheless, his experience and ability to pop up with crucial goals means Frankfurt will need to stay alert to his threat.
Prediction
Given Tottenham’s woeful away form and Frankfurt’s impressive home record in this competition, the signs point towards the German side progressing. While Spurs have the attacking quality to cause problems – especially if Son and James Maddison are at their best – their defensive issues and poor record in Germany make them vulnerable.
Frankfurt, with the energy of the home crowd behind them and momentum in their favour, should have enough to get the job done – possibly within 90 minutes, but extra time remains a possibility given how closely matched the first leg was.
Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Tottenham (Frankfurt progress 3-2 on aggregate)
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