Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt on and what time does it start? Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt will take place on Sunday 20th August, 2023 – 16:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt
Where can I stream Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Eintracht Frankfurt vs Darmstadt can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
Eintracht Frankfurt came into the 2022-23 season as Europa League champions, thus spent much of the campaign competing in the Champions League, making it to the Round of 16 stage before being knocked out by Napoli. However, this no doubt played a part in what was a really poor season in the Bundesliga. In the end, they scrapped European football courtesy of a seventh-place finish, although that was only enough for the Europa Conference League. Eintracht fared much better in the DFB-Pokal, but were ultimately toppled in the final by RB Leipzig.
It was heart-breaking for Oliver Glasner not to finish his reign as head coach with another trophy, but he has done a magnificent job at Eintracht and his replacement Dino Toppmoller has some big shoes to fill. Toppmoller, a former player at Eintracht has spent the last three years as Julian Nagelsmann’s assistant coach, first at RB Leipzig and then at Bayern Munich, where they won the Bundesliga.
DARMSTADT
Darmstadt are all set to embark on what will be only their third season of Bundesliga football in their entire history, having gained promotion last season as runners-up in the 2. Bundesliga. Last time they competed in the German top flight, Darmstadt remained at that level for two seasons between 2015 and 2017. A lot has taken place since then, but most importantly from a Darmstadt perspective is that they are back and financially stable.
Head coach Torsten Lieberknecht have a point to prove having last managed at this level all the way back in the 2013-14 season, when his Eintracht Braunschweig side were relegated back down to the second tier and ended up dropping further a few years later. Following a spell at Duisburg, Lieberknecht has rebuilt his reputation at Darmstadt and to keep them at this level would be arguably his greatest achievement yet.
THE TEAM NEWS
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
Of the Eintracht Frankfurt starting line-up, it’s the central midfield that has a significantly different feel to it, with both Djibril Sow and Daichi Kamada having left the club. However, this is likely to present an immediate opportunity for Ellyes Skhiri to make himself at home in the same position for his new club.
Argentinian striker Lucas Alario won’t feature on Sunday as he is currently injured, whilst Jens Petter Hauge could well slot into the right-hand-side of a front three that includes Randall Kolo Muani in the centre and Mario Gotze on the left-hand-side. Elsewhere, centre-back Robin Koch should be making his first league appearance for Eintracht.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Trapp; Koch, Hasebe, Pacho; Buta, Ebimbe, Skhiri, Max; Hauge, Kolo Muani, Gotze
UNAVAILABLE: Alario (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Aaronson (Illness)
DARMSTADT
Both new signings Christoph Klarer and Fraser Hornby are expected to make their Bundesliga debuts for Darmstadt here in Frankfurt, the latter most likely in the centre of a front three, whilst Klarer may play on the right-hand-side of a central defensive three as the visitors look to match up man-for-man against Eintracht.
Both defender Matthias Bader and midfielder Tobias Kempe are currently struggling with thigh injuries and each have been rendered significant doubts for this match. Aside from those two though, Lieberknecht should have a fully fit squad to choose from.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Schuhen; Klarer, Zimmermann, Riedel; Nurnberger, Schnellhardt, Holland, Karic; Manu, Hornby, Honsak
UNAVAILABLE: Kempe (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Bader (Injured), Kempe (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Dino Toppmoller has been afforded a favourable fixture to begin his reign as Eintracht Frankfurt head coach in the Bundesliga. The players at his disposal are significantly stronger than those of Darmstadt, both in terms of individual ability and as a collective unit on and off the ball. Provided any complacency is left in the dressing room, then the attacking firepower of the hosts should eventually overwhelm this Darmstadt backline and lead to an Eintracht Frankfurt victory.
TIP: EINTRACHT FRANKFURT TO WIN
