Liverpool will be bidding to bounce back from a four game losing streak when they travel to Germany on Wednesday night to face Hugo Ekitike’s old side Eintracht Frankfurt, live at 8pm on TNT Sports 1.
The wobbling Reds hit a real low following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to rivals Man United, but they must shake off the disappointment when they return to European action this week against an entertaining Frankfurt outfit who have traded a 5-1 win with a 5-1 defeat so far in the Champions League.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool Prediction & Tips
BTTS & Over 3 Goals @ 11/10 with bet365
Goals are pretty much guaranteed on Wednesday between two sides with vulnerable defences, but attacks fully capable of scoring a hatful. Frankfurt’s 10 games have contained a staggering 54 goals so far, averaging 5.4 goals per game. Their two Champions League games alone have contained 12 goals. BTTS has landed eight times in their games and nine times for Liverpool, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven games.
Jonathan Burkardt To Score @ 12/5 with BetMGM
Burkardt, who replaced Ekitike in the summer, heads into the game in fine form, having scored six goals in his last six games, including a brace in the weekend’s draw at Freiburg. He’s also scored in both Champions League games for his new side.
Time of First Goal = 0-10minutes @ 11/4 with AKBets
Goals have been flying in early in Frankfurt games with six of their last seven matches having seen a strike inside the opening 10 minutes (the outlier had a goal in the 11th minute). That includes both of their Champions League outings this season. Liverpool have shown a similar trend, with four of their last seven matches featuring a goal inside the first 10 minutes. They scored twice early against Atletico Madrid and conceded after just 63 seconds against Man United.
Eintracht Frankfurt Form & Team News
Eintracht Frankfurt’s season has been nothing short of chaotic. Through 10 matches, they’ve picked up five wins, four defeats, and one draw – scoring a staggering 30 goals while conceding 24.
Their results have been as wild as the numbers suggest, including a 6-4 win away at Borussia Monchengladbach and a 4-3 home defeat to Union Berlin just six days earlier. Their Champions League campaign has been equally unpredictable, and one which started with a dominant 5-1 win over Galatasaray, but was then followed by a humbling 5-1 loss away to Atletico Madrid.
That 6-4 thriller remains their only win in the last five outings, and they come into this match without a win in their last three.
Defensive issues have plagued Frankfurt all season, but major changes are unlikely ahead of such a big game. In-form striker Jonathan Burkardt will lead the line, likely supported by Can Uzun, who has also been among the goals early on this season.
Liverpool Form & Team News
Liverpool opened up the season with seven straight wins in all competitions. However, that momentum has quickly evaporated, with the Reds now suffering four straight defeats, three of which came after the 84th minute, including Sunday’s loss to Man United
Liverpool’s mega-money new attack has yet to click, while Mo Salah has looked far from his usual self, prompting calls for a possible switch. Cody Gakpo has been a rare bright spot, along with Hugo Ekitike, who will be eager to start against his former club.
Ekitike, who scored 22 goals for Frankfurt last season, has already netted five times for Liverpool this term and should get the nod ahead of Alexander Isak, who continues to struggle to find his footing since arriving at Anfield.
Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue in goal, Ryan Gravenberch is a doubt after being forced off against Man United, while Arne Slot faces ongoing selection dilemmas at both full-back positions, which have been areas of concern throughout the campaign.
Head-to-Head Battles and What the Stats Reveal
You have to go all the way back to the first round of the 1972/73 UEFA Cup for the last time these two sides met. Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield, followed by a goalless draw in Frankfurt to seal their progression.
While Liverpool’s current form may have dipped alarmingly, they can take confidence from their strong recent record against German opposition in the Champions League: winning 10, drawing 4, and losing just once in the last 15. That run includes victories over both RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Key Battles on the Pitch
Robin Koch vs Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike will hope to replace Isak in attack after a lively performance off the bench against Man Utd. The striker has five goals this season and will back himself against a Frankfurt defence that has leaked six goals in two Champions League games. Standing in his way is former teammate Koch.
Rasmus Kristensen vs Cody Gakpo
Gakpo has been Liverpool’s most consistent performer in recent weeks with five goals from his last four games for club and country. The Dutchman’s sharp movement and direct style will pose a serious test for Rasmus Kristensen, the former Leeds full-back now tasked with shutting down Liverpool’s most in-form attacker.
Jonathan Burkardt vs Virgil van Dijk
It’s been an uncharacteristically shaky start to the season for Virgil van Dijk, who has shown occasional lapses in concentration and indecisiveness. He’ll need to be back to his best to handle Burkardt, who enters this clash in red-hot form with six goals in his last six matches.