Eintracht Frankfurt welcome Slavia Prague to Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday hoping to tighten their grip on top spot in Europa League Group C. The Eagles have flown high under Dino Toppmöller, scoring in 11 consecutive European fixtures, while Slavia arrive in Germany unbeaten in 14 away games across all competitions—a streak that began in August 2022. Something has to give.
Key match-up: Frankfurt’s high-tempo 3-4-2-1 versus Slavia’s compact 4-2-3-1. Expect wing-backs Aurélio Buta and Philipp Max to bombard the flanks, dragging Slavia’s full-backs out and creating half-spaces for Mario Götze and Farès Chaïbi to exploit. Slavia will look to hit on the break through Ivan Schranz and captain Mojmír Chytil, who has 8 goals in 12 competitive starts this term.
Injury updates boost the hosts: striker Hugo Ekitiké has returned to full training, while Slavia will be without suspended centre-back Igoh Ogbu, forcing 20-year-old Tomáš Hromada into only his second European start. That inexperience could prove decisive against Frankfurt’s vertical runs.
Numbers worth noting: Frankfurt average 2.26 expected goals (xG) at home in 2023-24, third-best among Bundesliga sides in European competition. Slavia’s away xG conceded is a respectable but not impenetrable 1.12. The Czechs have also trailed at half-time in four of their last six road fixtures, pointing to slow starts that a raucous Waldstadion will punish.
Weather forecast: 9 °C and light rain, slickening the surface—ideal for Frankfurt’s rapid combinations but also for Slavia’s slide-rule passes behind the back three.
Prediction: Frankfurt’s intensity and fresh attacking options break Slavia’s resistance after 70 minutes. A late insurance goal on the counter seals it.
Score forecast: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 Slavia Prague.
