'We have to produce a top performance'

The current state of play: The Werkself are level on points with fifth-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach and are sixth in the table ahead of the third-last game of the season. They now entertain Eintracht Frankfurt who are in fourth place with a three-point advantage and better goal difference – a position that brings qualification for the UEFA Champions League. The Werkself have a one-point lead over closest rivals TSG Hoffenheim, are two points ahead of VfL Wolfsburg and five ahead of Werder Bremen.

The head coach on the game: Peter Bosz does not want to call the game against Frankfurt a "final for the Champions League". "Even if we were to win on Sunday we have not yet achieved anything. A final is a better description of the last Bundesliga fixture against Hertha," said the 55-year-old who is looking for a ninth home win of the season in the title run-in to increase pressure on the cup winners. Of course, at this point in the season it is usual to look at the remaining fixtures of the rivals but it should not influence anyone according to Bosz. "It doesn't help us to look too far into the future. We've got to try and win against Frankfurt and we have two concentrate and focus completely on this match. And that's what we'll do," declared the Dutchman who is expecting a hard-fought game against the best away side in the league: "we have to produce a top performance." The Werkself are ready to face Eintracht Frankfurt who, according to Bosz, "play forwards very quickly with short passes." In the Black and Red camp, the hope is that the visitors are somewhat weaker as they head to the Rhineland as the team under Eintracht coach Adi Hütter drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Thursday night in the Europa League semi-final first leg. For Bosz, that is a theoretical position: "we don't know what to expect. I think it not only makes you tired but can also sap energy – it's not every day that players are in a European competition semi-final."

Squad update: Peter Bosz will have to manage without four players the game against Frankfurt:The current absentees Karim Bellarabi (hamstring), Joel Pohjanpalo (ankle) and Leon Bailey (hamstring) are joined by Panos Retsos who is suffering with a tough problem. Sven Bender, who was substituted at half-time at Augsburg with a foot problem, was able to complete the full training session on Friday. Bosz will make a decision on including the 30-year-old in his plans after the final pre-match training session on Saturday.

The referee: Robert Hartmann is the referee for the game at the BayArena. For the 39-year-old from the Allgäu this will be the first game involving the Werkself this season. Previously, the business economist has officiated eleven league matches involving the Black and Reds – the last time was a 0-0 draw away to Werder Bremen last term. Hartmann will be assisted on Sunday by Christian Leicher and Markus Schüller with Thorben Siewer the fourth official. The video referees are Deniz Aytekin and Tobias Reichel.

The previous meeting:  When the two sides faced each other at Frankfurt Commerzbank Arena in the middle of December it was the final game of the matchday with the Werkself placed eleventh in the table. Eintracht were fifth in the league and the game proved to be a hard-fought and entertaining encounter with lots of goalmouth action. A goal from Karim Bellarabi was ruled out as the view of the Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp was blocked and then the hosts struck with a clinical finish. Former Bayer 04 player Danny da Costa opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark. After the half-time break, Filip Kostic doubled the lead for Frankfurt on 57 minutes before Bellarabi put the Werkself back in the game with a strike on 65 minutes that led to an exciting end to the game. The team from Hessen had good chances to increase their lead but the match ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Werkself.