Eintracht Frankfurt head into matchday 32 of the Bundesliga clinging onto the final Champions League qualification place.
The Eagles have lost two of their last three matches and are just one point above fifth-place Borussia Dortmund.
Sunday’s opponents are the Bundesliga’s most in-form team, Mainz. The 05ers are coming off a Monday night draw against Hertha Berlin. Coach Bo Svensson has led the 05ers to six straight matches without a loss.
Mainz have moved away from the bottom three but need to keep collecting points to ensure they remain in the top flight. Mainz go into matchday 32 six points above 16th-placed Koln.
Eintracht Frankfurt recorded a 2-0 win against Mainz in January. Andre Silva scored two penalties, one on each side of the halftime break, to lead the Eagles to the win.
Mainz are a much different team now than they were back in January. The reverse fixture came five days after Svensson had taken over the club.
The 05ers lead the Bundesliga’s current form table. They took 14 points from 18 available. They outscored opponents 10-6.
Eintracht Frankfurt may be clinging onto a Champions League qualification place, but they did take 12 points from their last 18 available.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s last six games were more thrilling in the goals department. The Eagles tallied 14 goals while conceding 13 times.
Five of Eintracht Frankfurt’s last six games ended with over 2.5 goals. Three of Mainz’s last six Bundesliga games ended with under 2.5 goals scored.
Adi Hutter is without attacking midfielder Amin Younes. The forward has returned to Belgium for further treatment on a groin injury.
Luka Jovic could be paired with Silva in attack. Evan N’Dicka is ruled out through suspension while Sebastian Rode is back from a suspension of his own.
Centre-back Stefan Bell will miss the fixture for Mainz due to suspension. Svensson should keep with attackers Jonathan Burkardt and Robin Quaison leading the line. The duo has been excellent powering Mainz’s resurgence.
Eintracht Frankfurt are one of two Bundesliga teams, alongside Bayer Leverkusen, not to experience a home defeat in 2020-21.
Mainz were the last team to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt at the Deutsche Bank Park. That Mainz win came during the 2019-20 season.
Despite being the league’s in-form team, Mainz could fall to Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. The Eagles should claim a win with two sides combining for over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring. It could be another high-scoring Eintracht Frankfurt game.