Eintracht Frankfurt vs FC Koln: Match Preview, Predictions, and Lineups
Sunday’s fixture at Deutsche Bank Park carries heavy stakes for both clubs. Eintracht Frankfurt host FC Koln as the season heads into its final seven matches.
Filmogaz.com presents an Eintracht Frankfurt vs FC Koln: Match Preview, Predictions, and Lineups ahead of kick-off. The preview summarises form, injuries and likely selections.
Team form and stakes
Frankfurt sit seventh in the Bundesliga. They have 38 points and trail sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen by eight points.
The club qualified for the Champions League at the end of the 2024-25 season. With seven games left they risk missing out on European football entirely.
Albert Riera replaced Dino Toppmoller and has steadied the team. He has lost twice in his brief tenure and recorded three wins and two draws in seven matches.
Riera’s home form stands out. He has a 100% record at Deutsche Bank Park and kept clean sheets in wins over Borussia Mönchengladbach, Freiburg and Heidenheim.
Koln occupy 15th place and are two points above the relegation play-off spot. The club has endured a long winless run that stretches back to January.
Lukas Kwasniok was dismissed after a 3-3 draw with Gladbach on March 21. His assistant, Rene Wagner, has taken interim charge.
Wagner is best known as Steffen Baumgart’s long-time assistant. He returned to Koln ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and now faces the task of keeping the club up.
Koln have managed just one away win since August. That victory came on October 3 against Hoffenheim.
Recent results
- Frankfurt lost 2-1 to Mainz before the international break.
- Frankfurt beat Gladbach 3-0, Freiburg 2-0 and Heidenheim 1-0 at home.
- Koln drew 3-3 with Gladbach on March 21, extending their winless streak.
Injury and suspension update
Frankfurt will be without several players until season end. Goalkeeper Kaua Santos and centre-back Nnamdi Collins are sidelined with knee and ankle injuries.
Right-back Rasmus Kristensen is out with an ankle problem. Left winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya is missing with a thigh issue.
Forwards Younes Ebnoutalib and Michy Batshuayi remain doubts after long layoffs. Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga and Jonathan Burkardt should be available.
Koln are short at centre-back. Timo Hubers and Luca Kilian are out with knee injuries. Joel Schmied is doubtful with a muscle problem.
Eric Martel is suspended after his red card against Gladbach. Denis Huseinbasic and Alessio Castro-Montes face fitness checks.
Probable lineups
Managers are expected to tweak their sides based on availability. Below are the most likely starting XIs.
| Eintracht Frankfurt (likely) | FC Koln (likely) |
|---|---|
| GK: Michael Zetterer | GK: Schwabe |
| Def: Aurèle Amenda, Robin Koch, Arthur Theate | Def: Sebastian Sebulonsen, Rav van den Berg, Cenk Özkacar, Kristoffer Lund |
| Mid: Ritsu Doan, Mario Götze, Viktor Gyökeres Larsson, Yusuf Uzun, Nathaniel Brown | Mid: Isak Bergmann Johannesson, Tom Krauss |
| Forwards: Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga, Jonathan Burkardt | Forwards: Jan Thielmann, Kamil Ade? / Ache |
Coaches may alter formations on match day. These lists reflect current fitness and suspensions.
Prediction
Frankfurt should have the edge at home. Riera’s perfect record at Deutsche Bank Park is convincing.
Koln might gain a short-term boost under Rene Wagner. Still, an away win remains unlikely given recent form.
Final score forecast: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 FC Koln.
