Borussia Dortmund head to Deutsche Bank Park to take on Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday night knowing that defeat could all but extinguish their faint hopes of keeping pace with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga title race. The hosts, meanwhile, see this as an opportunity to reassert themselves in the battle for European qualification and close the gap to the top four.
Frankfurt resume league action in seventh place, four points adrift of RB Leipzig, having shown mixed form before the winter break. Dino Toppmoller’s side picked up a win and a draw in their final two fixtures of 2025, though the momentum was blunted by a frustrating 1-1 draw against newly promoted Hamburger SV. That result summed up much of Frankfurt’s season: competitive, organised, but lacking cutting edge.
The Eagles’ attacking struggles are becoming a concern. They have scored just four goals across their last six matches and have managed more than one goal in a game only once in their previous 11 outings across all competitions. Defensively, the picture is equally troubling, with 30 goals conceded in the Bundesliga, a total bettered only by the league’s bottom two sides.
Still, Frankfurt have been far more resilient at home, going unbeaten in their last four league matches at Deutsche Bank Park, winning three of them. On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund arrive in stronger shape.
Sitting second in the table with 32 points, they closed the year with a confident 2–0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach and remain unbeaten in their last eight Bundesliga fixtures. Niko Kovac’s side have found a measure of balance in recent weeks, keeping two clean sheets in their last four league games while scoring nine goals across their previous five.
Even so, the context is unforgiving. Bayern Munich’s commanding lead means Dortmund can ill afford any dropped points. A defeat on Friday would likely see them fall 12 points behind the leaders by the end of the matchweek, while also risking pressure from the chasing pack, with Hoffenheim lurking just behind.
There is recent precedent for Dortmund optimism. The Black and Yellows oversaw a penalty-shootout victory over Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal in October, part of a run that has seen BVB win three of the last four meetings between the sides.
Dortmund’s away form is also quietly solid: they are unbeaten in their last five domestic away matches, winning three, even if their last four league trips have produced a mixed return. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Eintracht Frankfurt continue to grapple with significant attacking absences heading into Friday’s meeting with Borussia Dortmund. Leading scorer Jonathan Burkardt remains sidelined with a calf injury, depriving Dino Toppmoller’s side of a natural focal point in the final third. That problem is compounded by Michy Batshuayi, who is also unavailable after sustaining a foot injury, leaving Frankfurt short of recognised centre-forwards once again.
As a result, Eintracht Frankfurt are expected to persist with a makeshift solution in attack. Ansgar Knauff is likely to continue operating as an auxiliary number nine, a role he has filled in recent weeks. He should be supported by Ritsu Doan and Mario Gotze, with both tasked with providing creativity, movement between the lines, and late runs into the box to compensate for the lack of a traditional striker.
In midfield, Hugo Larsson and Mahmoud Dahoud are strong candidates to start together, offering a blend of ball progression and defensive coverage. Their selection would aim to give Frankfurt greater control in central areas, particularly against Dortmund’s high-tempo transitions.
Behind them, Toppmoller is expected to stick with a back three consisting of Nnamdi Collins, Robin Koch, and Arthur Theate, a unit that prioritises physicality and aerial strength but has struggled for consistency this season.
From a tactical standpoint, Eintracht Frankfurt are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation against Borussia Dortmund, designed to provide defensive solidity while allowing flexibility in attack. Michael Zetterer should start in goal.
The back three of Collins, Koch, and Theate will be flanked by wing-backs Rasmus Kristensen on the right and Nathaniel Brown on the left, both expected to shuttle aggressively to support attacks while tracking Dortmund’s wide threats.
Ahead of them, Hugo Larsson and Mohammed Dahoud will be expected to anchor the midfield, with Doan and Gotze operating as advanced creators behind Knauff, who leads the line through movement rather than physical presence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Zetterer; Collins, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Larsson, Dahoud, Brown; Doan, Gotze; Knauff
Borussia Dortmund travel to Frankfurt with a couple of selection concerns, most notably in goal and midfield. First-choice goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is a doubt after falling ill, meaning Alexander Meyer is likely to deputise between the posts if Kobel fails a late fitness check. In midfield, Jobe Bellingham is unavailable due to suspension, forcing Niko Kovac into at least one enforced change in the engine room.
Defensively, Dortmund look more settled. Nico Schlotterbeck is expected to marshal the back line, flanked by Waldemar Anton and Emre Can, providing a mix of ball progression, physicality, and leadership. The suspension of Bellingham opens the door for Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha, both of whom are poised to start and offer a blend of pressing intensity and forward passing from midfield.
From a tactical standpoint, Dortmund are set to continue with a 3-4-2-1 formation, a shape that has helped stabilise recent performances while maintaining attacking threat. Meyer should start in goal if required. The back three of Waldemar Anton on the right, Emre Can centrally, and Nico Schlotterbeck on the left will look to build play from deep and deal with Frankfurt’s fluid front line.
In the wing-back roles, Julian Ryerson is expected to operate on the right, with Daniel Svensson providing balance on the left, both tasked with supporting transitions and tracking runners. Central midfield should feature Marcel Sabitzer alongside Felix Nmecha, offering energy, ball recovery, and vertical movement.
Ahead of them, Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt are likely to operate between the lines, supplying creativity and pace in support of Serhou Guirassy, who should lead the line as Dortmund’s primary goal threat.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Meyer; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Brandt; Guirassy
With Borussia Dortmund carrying the burden of expectation into Eintracht Frankfurt, Serhou Guirassy stands out as the player most likely to determine the outcome. The striker has become Dortmund’s focal point in the final third, offering a combination of physical presence, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing that gives his side a cutting edge in tight contests.
Guirassy thrives in matches where service is selective rather than constant. His ability to hold off defenders, bring runners into play, and attack crosses makes him particularly dangerous against a Frankfurt back three that has shown vulnerability when dragged out of position. With Dortmund likely to target quick transitions and early deliveries into the box, Guirassy’s timing and composure could be decisive.
Beyond goals, his influence shapes Dortmund’s attacking structure. By occupying centre-backs, he creates space for players like Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi to exploit between the lines. In a fixture where the away side cannot afford to waste chances, Guirassy’s efficiency may prove the difference between maintaining pressure on Bayern Munich or slipping further behind. If the Black and Yellows are to leave Deutsche Bank Park with three points, expect Guirassy to be at the heart of their attacking threat.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s home form suggests they will compete with intensity and organisation, but their lack of a recognised striker continues to blunt their attacking output. Borussia Dortmund, by contrast, arrive with momentum, balance, and a clearer attacking structure, even with a couple of enforced changes.
If the visitors manage the early pressure and impose their rhythm through midfield, their superior quality in the final third should tell. Frankfurt may have moments, but sustaining a threat over 90 minutes looks difficult given recent scoring issues.
