Eintracht Frankfurt vs FC Cologne Preview: Team News & Prediction

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An already under pressure Adi Hutter desperately needs three points here as a struggling Eintracht Frankfurt hosts FC Cologne.

Kick-off date/time: 16 October 2026 at 7:30 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – BBC iPlayer / USA – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – BBC Sport website & iPlayer / USA – ESPN+

Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Panic setting in

With just one win from their opening five Bundesliga games, Eintracht Frankfurt fans can be forgiven for starting to get restless. Their side are far away from being challengers for European football in this form and whilst the gap between them and the top six is still more than manageable for now, Adi Hutter needs to turn things around soon.

Last time out saw Frankfurt fall to their worst defeat of the season by a long way, losing 6-0 at the hands of RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena. Only two Bundesliga clubs have now given up more goals than the home side so far this campaign.

FC Cologne preview: Back to winning ways

Following a rough run of form which had seen them pick up just one point from nine available to them since the opening weekend, FC Cologne secured a much-needed win most recently, beating Borussia Monchengladbach by two goals to one. Said El Mala scored the winning goal for Rene Wagner’s side.

Three points here for FC Cologne would move them all the way into fifth-place temporarily, so motivation couldn’t be higher for the visitors. However, both their win league wins so far this season have come at home, so they’ll need to change that here.

Eintracht Frankfurt team news: Single absence

Eintracht Frankfurt will be missing one player in Jessic Ngankam, who is still out with hamstring injury, whilst fellow attacker Malik Pimpong is doubtful.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Atubolu; Collins, Koch, Brassier, Kosugi; Doan, Aseko, Onyedika, Uzun; Burkardt, Ebnoutalib

Unavailable: Ngankam (Injured)

Questionable: Pimpong (Injured)

FC Cologne team news: Castro-Montes doubt

Alessio Castro-Montes is battling to be passed fit for this game and not join an already length FC Cologne injury list which includes the likes of Ragnar Ache, Timo Hubers and Sepp Van den Berg.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Sebulonsen, Simpson-Pusey, Lochoshvili, Sosa; Johannesson, Krauss; Bulter, Moore, Maina; El Mala

Unavailable Ache (Injured), Dallinga (Injured), Hubers (knee), Skhiri (Injured), Van den Berg (Injured)

Questionable: Castro-Montes (Injured)

Eintracht Frankfurt vs FC Cologne prediction

There’s no doubt that Eintracht Frankfurt have vastly underperformed so far in 2026-27. But if ever there was an opportunity for them to get back on track, you’d feel that this is it. Facing a team in FC Cologne who have struggled on the road, Eintracht should dominate because despite their problems, the hosts remain an extremely talented team.

It would be no surprise to see FC Cologne create chances when taking into account the fragility of Eintracht’s backline. However, the hosts should be able to put things together on home soil, where they drew with league leaders Freiburg last time out. Therefore, consider backing a more desperate Eintracht Frankfurt to come away with three precious points.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs FC Cologne tip: Eintracht Frankfurt to win