Preview: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Mainz 05 - prediction, team news, lineups

Mainz, meanwhile, could move level on points with sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen should they return from Frankfurt with all three points.

Match preview

In truth, Frankfurt appear to have checked out of their league campaign, with no team in the entire Bundesliga collecting fewer points than Oliver Glasner's side across their last six matches.

Die Adler have now failed to win any of their last 10 league games - drawing five and losing five during that stretch of games - after succumbing to a fourth successive defeat on the road in the form a 3-1 loss to Hoffenheim last weekend.

However, after winning the Europa League last season, Frankfurt are chasing a major trophy once again after recently dispatching Stuttgart 3-2 in the DFB-Pokal semi-final to set up a tantalising final against RB Leipzig next month.

While they will head into that match as underdogs against the holders of that competition, Glasner - who has confirmed he will be leaving the club at the end of the campaign - has the advantage of being able to rest players between now and then should he choose to do so, whereas their opponents are deeply embroiled in a battle to qualify for the Champions League next season.

In the meantime, Frankfurt will hope to resurrect some pride and momentum in the Bundesliga ahead of their most important fixture of the season, even if they have little to play for beyond securing a top half finish.

Mainz, meanwhile, appeared to be steamrollering their way towards returning to European football for the first time since the 2016-17 season, but two consecutive defeats have slowed their progress in recent weeks.

Bo Svensson's side were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Wolfsburg, allowing their opponents to leapfrog them in the table in the process, before falling to a surprising 3-2 defeat at home to relegation candidates Schalke 04 last weekend.

Mainz twice came from behind to draw level against Schalke, with second half goals from Leandro Barreiro and Aaron Caricol seemingly enough to provide their side with a share of the spoils at least, but Marius Bulter dispatched a penalty in the 12th minute of injury-time to secure a precious victory for the away side.

How many European places are up for grabs via league positions will depend on whether Frankfurt beat Leipzig in next month's cup final, but all Mainz can worry about is themselves in terms of edging Leverkusen and Wolfsburg aside to claim sixth place. A victory on Saturday would be a huge step towards achieving that.

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:

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L

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L

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):

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W

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Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:

W

D

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L

Team News

Frankfurt will be without Rafael Santos Borre through suspension after the forward received his fifth caution of the season against Hoffenheim, while Tuta, Sebastian Rode, Kristijan Jakic, Philipp Max and Hrvoje Smolcic all remain injury doubts.

Glasner may be tempted to shuffle his pack after suffering a disappointing defeat last time out, with Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe and Ansgar Knauff providing youthful options on either flank.

Mainz, meanwhile, will be forced into making at least two changes after both of their starting midfielders were booked during the defeat to Schalke, with Barreiro and Dominik Kohr banned to face Frankfurt as a result.

Aymen Barkok will almost certainly come into the visitors' engine room, with Edmilson Fernandes potentially moving into his favoured midfield role, allowing Alexander Hack a rare start in defence after falling out of favour in recent times.

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Toure, Hasebe, Ndicka; Ebimbe, Kamada, Sow, Knauff; Lindstrom, Gotze; Kolo Muani

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Hanche-Olsen, Bell, Hack; Da Costa, Barkok, Fernandes, Caricol; Onisiwo, Lee; Ajorque

We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Mainz 05

Neither side head into this fixture in the greatest form across recent weeks, with only outside hopes of qualifying for Europe providing any real motivation for both sets of players.

Although Frankfurt arguably have greater individual quality, their league campaign has completely run out of steam, meaning we can envisage a share of the spoils with Mainz on Saturday.

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