Hosts Eintracht Frankfurt are on the cusp of securing Champions League football but St Pauli will secure Bundesliga survival if they win Sunday at Deutsche Bank Park.
The Eagles are third with 56 points after drawing 1-1 with Mainz 05 last Sunday but they need just two points from their final two games to guarantee a top-four finish, whereas St Pauli are 15th with 31 points and also need two points if they are to secure safety.
Match preview
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Eintracht Frankfurt’s opening goal against Mainz in the 16th minute was their second and final attempt on target, and with Mainz scoring as a result of a throw in, they have now conceded the joint fourth most goals from set pieces in the Bundesliga (14).
It should be noted that Dino Toppmoller‘s side have been strong from a defensive perspective in the past weeks, keeping three clean sheets while only conceding twice in their last five in all competitions.
The hosts managed to get the better of the visitors when they triumphed 1-0 in the league on January 11, a game in which St Pauli failed to convert any of their five big chances.
Toppmoller’s team are in mixed form having only won two of their five most recent outings, losing once and drawing twice in that time.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s showings at home have been positive considering they have won four of their past five at Deutsche Bank Park, scoring 12 and conceding two in those matches.
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Opponents St Pauli were narrowly defeated by Stuttgart on May 3 after the victors netted the only goal of the game in the 88th minute, but Sunday’s visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute.
Kiezkicker have not found it easy to create chances in the final third having only scored four times in their last five games, but they also only conceded four in that period.
Manager Alexander Blessin‘s side are five points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation playoff spot, and his team cannot realistically be automatically relegated and they will all but secure safety should Heidenheim lose against Union Berlin on Saturday.
St Pauli have only experienced one defeat in their five most recent fixtures, drawing three and winning on one occasion.
The visitors are also unbeaten in their last two away from home – achieving one victory – but they failed to win any of their prior four on the road, suffering three losses.
Team News
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Attacking midfielder Mario Gotze is the only starter Eintracht Frankfurt will be missing on Sunday, and his injury may lead to Ansgar Knauff and Jean-Matteo Bahoya being asked to support striker Hugo Ekitike.
Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson started in a double pivot against Mainz, and the duo are the most likely pair to be selected in the middle of the pitch on the weekend.
Centre-backs Tuta, Robin Koch and Arthur Theate have often been chosen together in a back three, and they could be trusted in defence yet again.
Meanwhile, St Pauli will have to contend with several absentees, including defenders Karol Mets and Siebe van der Heyden, as well as goalkeepers Nikola Vasilj and Sascha Burchert.
Expect shot-stopper Ben Voll to be shielded by a back three of David Nemeth, Hauke Wahl and Lars Ritzka.
With midfielders Jackson Irvine and James Sands ruled out, Carlo Boukhalfa and Eric Smith may partner each other on Sunday.
Danel Sinani and Noah Weisshaupt could feature in attack considering forwards Abdoulie Ceesay, Elias Saad and Simon Zoller are injured.
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, Brown; Knauff, Bahoya; Ekitike
St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Voll; Nemeth, Wahl, Ritzka; Saliakas, Smith, Boukhalfa, Treu; Sinani; Weisshaupt, Guilavogui
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 St Pauli
St Pauli could prove to be challenging opponents for Eintracht Frankfurt given they have been resilient at the back in recent weeks.
However, the Eagles boast an excellent record at home and they have also been strong from a defensive perspective and may emerge as victors at Deutsche Bank Park.
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