Bayern Munich go into the final day of the Bundesliga season needing a win to seal the league title.
Niko Kovac’s side will host the manager’s former team, Eintracht Frankfurt, on Saturday at the Allianz Arena. Bayern Munich need a win or draw to seal the title over rivals Borussia Dortmund.
If Eintracht Frankfurt can pull off a major underdog victory, and Borussia Dortmund can win against Borussia Monchengladbach, then the league title will go to the Signal Iduna Park.
That is an unlikely scenario as Eintracht Frankfurt are in their worst form of the season. Die Adler’s Europa League journey took everything out of the club. Last week, Eintracht Frankfurt were defeated on penalties in the semifinal second against Chelsea.
The loss was followed by a defeat at the hands of Mainz, 2-0, at home. Eintracht Frankfurt are fatigued and have fallen out of Champions League qualification due to it.
Eintracht Frankfurt have won just once in their last 17 games against Bayern Munich. That one victory came last May when Die Adler won the German Cup Final, 3-1. Bayern Munich’s current coach, Kovac, masterminded that victory for Eintracht Frankfurt.
The two German clubs have played twice this season with Bayern Munich winning both games by a combined score of 8-0. August’s German super cup ended in a Bayern Munich 5-0 victory.
Kovac is expected to be without James Rodriguez, Manuel Neuer, and Javi Martinez. Rodriguez had previously been reported as fit to play, but he did not train in midweek due to a lingering calf issue. Martinez could still play a part in the game, according to reports in Germany.
Eintracht Frankfurt have everything to gain and lose on Saturday. The team can still qualify for the Champions League for the first time ever with a win. They will need Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach to lose as well.
Die Adler can also still qualify for the Europa League, but Wolfsburg is right on the tails. A loss and Wolfsburg win would see Eintracht Frankfurt fall out of the top six.
Manager Adi Hutter does have a near fully fit squad. The manager may finally be able to reunite his three-headed attack monster of Ante Rebic, Sebastien Haller, and Luka Jovic for the game.
Despite have a near fully fit team, Hutter’s team had the energy and life sucked out of them in the Europa League semifinals. Eintracht Frankfurt have taken just two points from their last 15 possible.
Bayern Munich should get through Eintracht Frankfurt’s defence rather easily to get to goal. The reigning champions will lift their seventh straight title thanks to a win with over 2.5 goals going into the back of the net.