We have reached the knockout stages of the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League and there are 16 matches taking place on Thursday night.
One of the early kick-offs comes in Germany as Eintracht Frankfurt host RB Salzburg at the Commerzbank-Arena. This has the makings of being a great tie as the German and Austrian clubs compete for a place in the Round of 16.
Eintracht Frankfurt come into the game having suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on the weekend. That result leaves them in mid-table and ended a good run which saw them win 4 and draw one of their previous 5 matches in all competitions.
Eintracht Frankfurt beat RB Leipzig at home, both in the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal plus Augsburg 5-0 at home in the Bundesliga. They also defeated Hoffenheim 2-1 away and picked up a draw at Fortuna Dusseldorf, both of which were in the Bundesliga.
Eintracht Frankfurt have won each of their last 3 home games in all competitions and won 3 of their 6 Europa League group games. Only one of those victories came at home which was the 2-1 win over Standard Liège. They lost their other 2 home group matches against Arsenal and Vitória de Guimarães.
Morning, Eagles!🦅Full focus ahead to the @EuropaLeague 💪#SGERBS #SGE #UEL pic.twitter.com/tMOfS61jig— Eintracht Frankfurt (@eintracht_eng) February 17, 2020
Morning, Eagles!🦅Full focus ahead to the @EuropaLeague 💪#SGERBS #SGE #UEL pic.twitter.com/tMOfS61jig
Trends show Eintracht Frankfurt have seen over 2.5 goals in each of their 3 home Europa League matches this season and they are yet to keep a clean sheet.
RB Salzburg began their European campaign by playing in the Champions League group stages. They had a tough draw which saw them meet Liverpool, Napoli and Genk. RB Salzburg finished 3rd in the group with a respectable total of 7 points having defeated Genk twice and picked up a point at Napoli, which was a good result.
RB Salzburg are in a title race with LASK to win the Austrian Bundesliga title this season. Domestic League action resumed last weekend following a winter break and RB Salzburg suffered a disappointing result, losing 3-2 at home against LASK. That was only their second defeat in their last 13 competitive games.
Away form in the Champions League this season shows RB Salzburg have won one, drawn one and lost one. Even in defeat at Liverpool, RB Salzburg delivered a very good performance and could have taken something from the match.
However, RB Salzburg have lost each of their last 2 away games in the Europa League both of which were played last season.
Looking ahead to the team news and Eintracht Frankfurt are without the injured trio of Gelson Fernandes, Lucas Torro Marset and Marco Russ. Nils Stendera is a doubt.
RB Salzburg have lost a couple of key players in the January transfer window. They also have doubts over the fitness of Alexander Walke, Antoine Bernede, Philipp Köhn, Rasmus Nielsen Kristensen and Youba Diarra.
Despite their heavy defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on the weekend, Eintracht Frankfurt will believe they have what it takes to secure a first leg victory in this tie. However, RB Salzburg could score a crucial away goal to make things interesting for the second leg.