Cologne vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Bundesliga
Saturday
3rd February 2024
RheinEnergieStadion
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Bundesliga fixture between Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Cologne vs Eintracht Frankfurt: Preview
Cologne form analysis
FC Cologne ended 2023 with back-to-back 2-0 losses away from home against Freiburg and Union Berlin. They struggled at both ends of the pitch, failing to score while conceding sloppy goals. Their first match of 2024 was more promising as they drew 1-1 at home against Heidenheim in the cup after Dennis Selke put them ahead. However, they conceded an equalizer and lost momentum. A heavy 4-0 home loss to Borussia Dortmund followed. Dortmund’s pace and quality exploited weaknesses across Cologne’s team.
Despite taking an early lead away at Wolfsburg through Ellyes Skhiri, Cologne conceded an immediate equalizer in a 1-1 draw. Overall, Cologne have lacked attacking threat and defensive stability over the past month. Scoring goals has been an issue with few chances created from open play. Moreover, conceding has become a worrying pattern, indicative of fragility across the back line and midfield. For coach Timo Schultz, tightening up defensively is crucial. If not, Cologne face slipping closer to the relegation fight.
Eintracht Frankfurt form analysis
Eintracht Frankfurt suffered a poor 3-0 defeat away at Bayer Leverkusen to end 2023. They struggled to contain Leverkusen’s attack while offering little threat themselves. However, they started 2024 with an unlikely comeback 2-1 home win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Trailing from the 27th minute, late goals from Aurélio Buta and Ricardo Kodh snatched a dramatic win despite being second best for most of the match. A professional 1-0 away win at RB Leipzig followed thanks to Ansgar Knauff’s early strike.
However a 2-2 draw away at Darmstadt in the cup saw a dominant 2-0 lead erased by two late concessions, denting momentum. Most recently, Frankfurt returned to winning ways with a 1-0 home victory over Mainz courtesy of a second half Mario Götze strike. Overall, Frankfurt’s form shows inconsistencies in performance and results. At their best, they can beat top sides like Leipzig by being organized and clinical. However, defensive issues have undermined them. Going forward, the manager will target greater defensive resilience and concentration to complement their dangerous attack. With clinical forwards and creative midfielders, Eintracht have the tools to make a Champions League push if they can plug holes at the back.
