Preview: Greuther Furth vs. Eintracht Frankfurt - prediction, team news, lineups

Two of the Bundesliga's bottom four sides go head to head in the final match of the weekend ahead of the international break, with Greuther Furth hosting Eintracht Frankfurt.

The hosts will prop up the table heading into the break regardless of Sunday's result, whilst the visitors have endured a disappointing start to the campaign themselves under their new manager.

Match preview

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Greuther's return to the top flight in Germany could not have started much worse heading into matchday 11, with just a single point picked up from their opening 10 fixtures.

That draw was achieved in the second game, which in itself was disappointing as it arrived at home to fellow-strugglers Arminia Bielefeld, who were even reduced to 10 men for much of the second half.

Eight-straight defeats have followed for Stefan Leitl's men, who have put into perspective the scale of their achievement in achieving an unexpected promotion to the top flight last campaign.

Although they will be attempting to enjoy the occasion, in what is only their second-ever appearance in the Bundesliga, the Cloverleaves appear destined for the same awful fate as they did back in 2012-13 - an immediate return to the 2.Bundesliga without putting up a fight.

Their most recent defeat arrived at Freiburg last weekend, which Greuther found themselves 2-0 behind in before half time after a poor first-half display.

Jamie Leweling pulled one back in the 74th minute after an improved display in the second 45, but Leitl oversaw his side succumb to a 3-1 defeat.

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Meanwhile, whilst Greuther's struggles were to be expected before a ball was kicked this season, Frankfurt's were not.

Oliver Glasner arrived in the hot seat in the summer to replace the departed Adi Hutter, but the former Wolfsburg boss has struggled during the early stages of his Frankfurt tenure.

Just a single league win, which miraculously arrived at the Allianz Arena in a 2-1 triumph over champions Bayern Munich, has left the European-hopefuls in 15th place heading into the weekend, level on points with Augsburg in the relegation playoff spot.

After narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot under Hutter in 2020-21, Glasner will be feeling the pressure already, although he will be aware that his side just needs some fine tuning to turn results around.

This is because six of their 10 league fixtures have in fact ended in draws, meaning a solid defensive foundation has been built, but a lack of goals at the other end of the pitch have meant that Die Adler have failed to kill off their opponents in front of goal.

Part of the reason for this can be related to the departure of last season's top goalscorer Andre Silva to RB Leipzig in the summer, although there has been little problem in European competition so far this campaign, with Frankfurt occupying top spot in Group D of the Europa League following their 2-1 win over Olympiacos in Greece on Thursday evening.

Jens Petter Hauge's stoppage-time winner added to Daichi Kamada's equaliser, which has left Glasner's side on the verge of the knockout stages, with the boss hopeful that his side can replicate their European form with their domestic.

Team News

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The hosts' long injury list was extended last weekend when important defender Nick Viergever suffered an ankle injury in the defeat at Freiburg.

He joins Gideon Jung, Justin Hoogma, Havard Nielsen, Robin Kehr and Jessic Ngankam on the sidelines, with little going the way of manager Leitl and Greuther at the moment.

As for Frankfurt, they will be sweating on the fitness of key winger Filip Kostic ahead of Sunday's trip, with the Serbian missing the European tie in the week due to a slight knock.

Captain Sebastian Rode has recently returned from injury but is unlikely to start just yet having settled for three substitute appearances since returning.

Ajdin Hrustic, Goncalo Paciencia and Christopher Lenz are all nearing returns from injury absences, but remain doubtful as it stands.

Greuther Furth possible starting lineup:
Funk; Meyerhofer, Sarpei, Barry, Willems; Seguin, Griesbeck, Green; Leweling, Itten, Hrgota

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Hinteregger, N'Dicka; Toure, Sow, Jakic, Chandler; Kamada; Santos Borre, Lammers

We say: Greuther Furth 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

Although Frankfurt are yet to play near their best for much of the season so far, they should possess the quality to see off a poor Greuther outfit on Sunday.

There may be a few nervy moments and some tired legs after a midweek European away trip for the visitors, but it is difficult to see where the hosts will manage to pick up their next point in a long and hard Bundesliga campaign.

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