Our next opponents: Eintracht Frankfurt profile

Position

Eintracht Frankfurt were seconds away from a Champions League spot. They conceded an equaliser against Hoffenheim in added time at the weekend, otherwise they could have crept into fourth place in the table almost unnoticed by rivals. However the 1-1 draw at TSG is symbolic of the whole season so far as the team from Hessen appear to be wedded to close results. In none of the Bundesliga games involving Frankfurt this term have the two sides being separated by more than one goal after 90 minutes with the winner often coming just before the final whistle. Neither Eintracht nor their opponents have scored more than two goals in a game – also a result of the stable defensive organisation introduced and developed by coach Niko  Kovac since he took over the helm in March 2016 . Only Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 have conceded fewer goals than Eintracht in the current campaign. The outcome is seventh place in the league and hopes for a continuing, untroubled season – and possibly more for Frankfurt.

personnel

Probably the biggest star is on the touchline. Niko Kovac has brought a team, that manages without big names, from almost certain relegation candidates to DFB Cup finalists and Europa League hopefuls within a short space of time. As a player, Kovac was – exactly like his brother and assistant coach Robert (left in picture) – at Bayer 04 where he was known for his aggressive approach. As the Eintracht coach, the Berlin-born Croat has stood out with his calm manner – while at the same time demanding the necessary strength in challenges from his players that was his trademark as an international midfielder. That approach is most evident in defensive stalwart David Abraham. And Bundesliga returnee Kevin-Prince Boateng, perhaps the best known name in the Eintracht squad, fits in with the intensive approach from Eintracht. The German-Ghanaian is more and more finding his feet in the Frankfurt midfield and he stood out at Hoffenheim as a goalscorer. Boateng is not the only successful new signing under the sporting direction of Bruno Hübner and Fredi Bobic. Sébastien Haller (right in picture), a record signing from FC Utrecht in the summer, is now endeavouring to follow in the impressive footsteps of the currently injured club legend Alex Meier as the leading striker. The technically adept Frenchman has scored five goals so far including three winners for his team.

problems

Kovac places emphasis on a well-organised defence – with the inevitable result of reducing the efficiency of the attack. The team definitely has room for improvement in terms of quality – which also is due in part to playmaker Marco Fabián being sidelined with injury. The Mexican is suffering  from a back problem and will probably not be available to organise the  Eintracht attack until after  the winter break. Fabián is not the only key player unavailable to Niko Kovac over the long term. The captain Meier is only expected to return at the end of the season following an ankle operation. Right back Timothy Chandler, midfield enforcer Omar Mascarell and summer signing Jonathan de Guzmán are also ruled out for the rest of the first half of the season. In addition: Key players Carlos Salcedo and Kevin Prince Boateng have suffered from flu symptoms since the start of the week. Former homegrown Bayer 04 player Danny da Costa could return to the Eintracht line-up in the next  few weeks following recovery from a torn ligament.

potential

Kovac, Hübner and Bobic, with inspired transfers and a united philosophy in decision-making, a brought calm to the hectic environment at Eintracht over recent years. Relegation, narrowly avoided 18 months ago in the play-offs, is no longer an issue at Frankfurt. The club have established themselves mid-table in the Bundesliga. Exceptions upwards, as in 2013 when the newly promoted side ended sixth in the table to qualify for the Europa League, are still possible – as is the case this season.

prediction

A lot seems possible for a team that appears to turn every game into a high-wire act. The most probable outcome for the Kovac team, with tight games week-in, week-out, is a mid-table finish. If the return of Fabián for the second half of the season does achieve the hoped-for improvement in attack then Frankfurt could well be in the running for a European finish.