Bundesliga: Euro Chasers Aim to End Year on a High

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Mainz 05

The Bundesliga winter break is fast approaching but not before one more round of matches and a contest which has the potential to deliver Bundesliga 2024 highlights. It’s third versus seventh as Eintracht Frankfurt host Mainz, two sides with realistic European ambitions.

Given Frankfurt finished sixth last season, albeit a whopping 16 points behind fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, their lofty position at this stage of the campaign is not too much of a surprise.

Given Mainz finished 13^th, only two points clear of the drop zone, and the turnaround is as staggering as it is impressive.

So, who will end 2024 on a high when they meet at Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday afternoon?

 

Talking Points 

The home side might start as favourites but should be wary as Mainz are in pretty fine form themselves. They turned on the style to inflict a first league defeat of the season on leaders Bayern Munich last Saturday when Lee Jae-sung was the star of the show with a double as they extended their unbeaten league run to eight successive games with a resilient defence accompanied by clinical finishing.

The South Korean midfielder was at the heart of the triumph, scoring both goals with clinical precision. His first, a poacher’s effort from close range, gave Mainz a crucial lead before halftime. His second, meanwhile, demonstrated his technical ability and composure under pressure. Beyond his goals, Lee’s work rate and tactical discipline were instrumental in their overall game plan, consistently troubling Bayern’s midfield and defence. Indeed, he has had a hand in at least one goal in each of his last five competitive appearances, scoring four and assisting two.

FSV Mainz manager Bo Henriksen has done a fine job since arriving at the Mewa Arena last February, steering them away from trouble with a nine-match unbeaten run and, after a slow start this term, they have picked up 12 points from the last five games.

His counterpart, though, will be hoping his own charges can bounce back, despite going four games in all competitions without a win, most recently a defeat to Leipzig last Sunday.

Based on current form, Dino Toppmoller can count one of the most prolific strike partnerships in Europe in Omar Marmoush – the recently crowned player of the month for November – and Hugo Ekitike. The pair have managed an eye-watering 30 goal involvements between them in the Bundesliga in 2024/25, with Marmoush a revelation as the Egyptian forward has put himself in the Bundesliga Golden Boot conversation. His 13 league goals to date are just one shy of the division’s leading marksman Harry Kane, while the Egyptian also leads the way in the assists standings with seven.

Ekitike, meanwhile, has weighed in with seven goals and three assists as Die Adler have put together eight wins and three draws across their first 14 top-flight games.

A side to watch in this year’s European combat too, the Eagles won the Europa League in 2022, their fans will see them as big guns in this company. After defeats to Leipzig in league and the German Cup, as well as a 3-2 reverse at Lyon in Europe and a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Augsburg, they could really do with a victory if they are to maintain company in the top four with Leipzig and defending champions Bayer Leverkusen.

 

History 

Traditionally, this has been close with 10 Frankfurt victories, nine Mainz successes and 13 draws. This fixture last season was settled by a solitary second half goal from Mario Gotze – the 2014 World Cup Final match-winner for Germany.

The earlier season contest ended one apiece, as Marmoush earned Frankfurt a point with a stoppage time equaliser to cancel out Lee’s 25^th-minute opener.

It was in June 2020, a match played behind closed doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Mainz last won on Frankfurt turf. On that occasion, a 2-0 win was secured by goals from Moussa Niakhaté and Pierre Kunde.

 

Betting Tip

  With Bundesliga 2024 betting odds, you can opt for a home win, both 1X2 @ 1.74 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.04, while Mainz are priced 1X2 @ 3.90 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 1.86. The draw is on offer @ 3.68. 

A repeat of the corresponding fixture last season will pay out @ 8.60 with Correct Score 1-0, while for more goals, you can look at Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.06, 4-6 @ 2.76 and Over 3.00 @ 2.07.

This SBOTOP writer believes Frankfurt will finally end Mainz’s impressive run. 

   

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