The top club in Belgium is aiming for European glory in the Europa Conference League but analysis shows they could be in for a tough game against German opposition.
The game between Union St. Gilloise and Eintracht Frankfurt takes place on the 15th of February at Lotto Park.
A late Westerlo penalty makes it level in Brussels. 🟡🔵 #USGWES pic.twitter.com/y0Kgo0OQWT— Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (@UnionStGilloise) February 10, 2024
A late Westerlo penalty makes it level in Brussels. 🟡🔵 #USGWES pic.twitter.com/y0Kgo0OQWT
The hosts are currently 8 points clear at the top of the Belgian First Division A table while the visitors are 6th in the German Bundesliga.
Union St. Gilloise come into the match having been held to a 2-2 draw at home by Westerlo in the First Division A on the weekend.
Westerlo opened the scoring in the 6th minute but Union St. Gilloise came back strongly to equalise in the 15th minute and take the lead in the second half. However, Westerlo scored the equaliser in the 96th minute to take a point.
The draw with Westerlo means Union St. Gilloise are undefeated in 16 of their 17 most recent competitive fixtures in all competitions.
However, they have won only 2 of their last 5 matches, with the wins coming over RWDM at home and Genk away in the First Division A.
There was a 2-2 draw at Anderlecht in the league and a 2-1 defeat at Club Brugge in the cup.
Stats show Union St. Gilloise have won 2 of their last 6 European games which were all played in the Europa League.
Eintracht Frankfurt travel to Lotto Park on the back of a 1-1 draw at home with Bochum in the Bundesliga.
It was a disappointing result against the team in the bottom half of the table and Eintracht Frankfurt scored in the 14th minute only to concede the equaliser 3 minutes later.
The draw with Bochum means Eintracht Frankfurt have won only 1 of their last 4 fixtures, all of which have been played in the Bundesliga.
The victory came over Mainz at home and there was a 2-2 draw at Darmstadt. There was also a defeat for Eintracht Frankfurt at FC Cologne.
Trends show Eintracht Frankfurt have won 2 of their last 4 Europa Conference League games, losing each of their last 2 matches in the competition.
The defeats came at home against PAOK and away to Aberdeen. Away form in the Europa Conference League shows 1 win from their 4 away trips with the victory coming at HJK in the group stage this season.
Team news: Union St. Gilloise are without the injured duo of Fedde Leysen and Kevin Rodríguez.
Eintracht Frankfurt make the trip without Hugo Larsson, Eric Ebimbe, and Mehdi Loune, who are all in the treatment room. They are also doubts over the fitness of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
Union St. Gilloise are enjoying a good season in Belgium but this is a step up against Bundesliga opposition.
Eintracht Frankfurt have not been brilliant in Europe this season but have the quality to come away with a lead from this first leg and keep a clean sheet in the process.