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Kostic has rediscovered his best form of late, even if Frankfurt continue to blow hot and cold. The Serbian winger has scored or assisted in four of his five four Bundesliga outings to take his tally for the season to a team-leading three goals and six assists. Eintracht were unbeaten in four and enjoying a three-game winning streak prior to last weekend's 3-2 loss to Hoffenheim. It marked their best spell since Oliver Glasner took charge in the summer, following as it did a run of one win in 10 league matches. The Eagles begin the weekend in 12th place, three points outside the top seven, and with a UEFA Europa League fixture away to Turkey's Fenerbahce to factor in to their preparations.
Leverkusen are also in Europa League action on Thursday. Die Werkself travel to Ferencvaros, albeit already through to the knockout rounds as group winners and with no fresh personnel concerns. Gerardo Seoane could elect to shuffle his pack as a result, protecting some of his regulars ahead of the Frankfurt trip, Wirtz among them. The 18-year-old produced his eighth assist of the Bundesliga campaign as Bayer thrashed Greuther Fürth 7-1 last time out, while Patrik Schick scored four second-half goals. That rout propelled Leverkusen into third place and to within three points of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, whilst extending their winning run to four matches in all competitions.
Match stats
Frankfurt have scored five times from crosses from open play this season - including each of their last four - with Kostic providing the assist on four occasions.
This fixture has never ended in a goalless draw in the 72 Bundesliga meetings to date - the longest such run of any team pairing in the league.
The Eagles have scored in the 90th minute or later three times in the Bundesliga this season, earning a draw against Leipzig and wins over Fürth and Union Berlin. Their winner against Bayern Munich arrived in the 83rd minute.
Wirtz (eight) is second only to Thomas Müller (11) in the Bundesliga assist chart in 2021/22. The 18-year-old also has five goals to his name.
Schick became the first Leverkusen player ever to score four goals in a single game when he did so against Fürth last week. His current total of 12 league goals is a single-season personal best for the Czech forward.
Leverkusen have scored a league-high 10 times in the opening 15 minutes of their matches this season, and are yet to lose away from home in this season's Bundesliga.
Probable line-ups
Frankfurt: Trapp - Tuta, Hasebe (c), N'Dicka - Chandler, Sow, Jakic, Kostic - Kamada - Borre, Paciencia
Out: -
Doubtful: Lindström (thigh)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Retsos, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie - Andrich, Palacios - Diaby, Wirtz, Adli - Schick
Out: Baumgartlinger (knee)
Doubtful: Bakker (ankle), Fosu-Mensah (match fitness), Frimpong (ankle)
Coach: Gerardo Seoane