Bundesliga action returns to our screens this weekend as the top tier of German football begins the 2021/22 campaign. A promising season lies ahead and one that all concerned hope remains unaffected by coronavirus restrictions. It’s a season of promise as sports fans worldwide look to the future, putting a difficult 18 months behind them. The focus is back on playing football, challenging for trophies and enjoying the unique atmosphere of playing at full stadiums.
The season begins on Friday evening when Borussia Monchengladbach host defending champions Bayern Munich and you can read a full match preview on our site. In this preview, we look ahead to the game that caught our eye from Saturday’s schedule where Borussia Dortmund line-up against Eintracht Frankfurt. These rivals hope to challenge for the prizes this season and finish in the European places. With a strong run of form and a fair share of luck, they could even push for a top-four finish and spot in next season’s Champions League competition.
Dortmund and Frankfurt played twice in the Bundesliga last season and both matches were tight. Frankfurt enjoyed the home advantage in the first game, but they failed to make it count when playing out a 1-1 draw back in December. They did fare better on the road when grabbing all three points at this venue in April, thanks to a 2-1 victory. That will give confidence to all inside the away dressing room as they aim to repeat the feat and get off to the perfect start this season. Will they achieve that, or can Dortmund get their revenge?
Dortmund enjoyed success last season
Despite failing to beat Eintracht Frankfurt in two attempts last season, Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a successful season when finishing third in the Bundesliga table, securing Champions League football for this campaign. Their final tally read 20 wins and four draws against ten defeats with 75 goals scored and 46 conceded. The 64 points gained was enough to secure third place, but it was well off the pace of champions Bayern Munich, and that’s something the team will be asked to improve on. Challenging for the title is a huge ask alongside competing in the Champions League, but they’ll want to get closer to the winners.
Borussia Dortmund will emerge from the tunnel to be welcomed by their fans, and those in attendance aim to roar their side to victory and all three points. They can prove the difference in what is sure to be a tight and competitive contest, but supporters must also be patient with the players as they get back up to speed. It’s early in the season, and this will be the first time many in the squad have played 90 minutes of competitive football for months. The locals must keep things tight and limit their unforced errors in defence.
The hosts were last seen in action when defeating SV Wehen Wiesbaden 3-0 away from home in the German DFB Cup. That was a match they were expected to win despite playing away from home. Still, the team deserves credit for their performance and the winning margin, bagging the victory without fuss and coming through a potentially tricky tie. Dortmund are now ready for the season ahead.
Frankfurt enter with confidence
Eintracht Frankfurt enter this match with confidence in the camp following a strong run of form against Saturday’s opponents. They haven’t lost a league match to Borussia Dortmund since February 2020 and took four of the six points available last season. That will encourage the visitors who travel knowing they have been handed a difficult opening match, and that’s not ideal, but they have the measure of Dortmund and will believe they can continue that unbeaten run to three games. Of course, a big ask, but winning on the road to get off to the ideal start isn’t impossible.
Armchair fans also look ahead to this game, knowing each of the last two meetings of these sides saw both teams find the net at least once, which was also the case in 10 of the last 11 meetings. Will the pair pick up where they left off and provide us with a free-scoring, competitive 90 minutes of action or will early-season tension make for a difficult game played with Frankfurt happy to go home with a share of the spoils? We’ll find out on Saturday, but there’s every reason to believe this match will catch fire early.
Eintracht Frankfurt was last seen in action in the German DFB Cup when suffering a shock and painful loss to little-known opponents SV Waldhof Mannheim last Sunday. It’s a game Eintracht were expected to win but looked well off the pace, rusty and lacking a yard of pace. Match sharpness is still to come, but the players know much better is expected of them here. They must improve on last week’s defeat if they are to have any chance of getting at least a point from this match.
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt prediction
This is a golden opportunity for Borussia Dortmund or Eintracht Frankfurt to get off to a winning start and put three points on the board at the first opportunity. Which team will seize the opportunity? Dortmund will take confidence from their home advantage and the positives from that cup win last weekend. They’ll also be well aware of the shock loss suffered by Frankfurt in the same competition.
The Eintracht players find themselves under pressure before a ball has been kicked in the league campaign. They were so poor last week that fans are worried, and the critics are lining up to stick the boot in. Getting home with at least a point to show for their efforts would be seen as a huge result for Frankfurt on matchday one, and we could see the visitors set up defensively and play for a draw.
Bundesliga odds
The pre-match betting odds available at 22bet on this game has Borussia Dortmund priced at 1.86 for the win with Eintracht Frankfurt trading at 5.4 and the draw 2.83.
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