The Matchday Preview

The Hinrunde is complete, & we have made it to the midway point of the Bundesliga campaign! Who will reverse their fortunes in the second half, & who will slip down the table? Let's find out!

The Hinrunde is complete, and we have made it to the midway point of the Bundesliga campaign! Who will reverse their fortunes in the second half, and who will slip down the table? Let's find out!

Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund

Eintracht Frankfurt have put their turbulent 2024 form behind them, starting the new year with back-to-back Bundesliga victories that solidify their position in the top four. After a gritty 1-0 win against St. Pauli, Frankfurt's attacking prowess was on full display in a dominant 4-1 victory over SC Freiburg on Tuesday.

Despite falling behind 1-0, Dino Toppmöller’s side responded swiftly, equalizing before halftime and running riot in the second half with three unanswered goals. A major talking point ahead of the match was the availability of Omar Marmoush, as the Egyptian forward edges closer to a move to Manchester City. Yet Marmoush showed no signs of distraction, delivering a stellar performance with a goal and two assists to spearhead Frankfurt’s triumph.

The 25-year-old has been in sensational form, contributing 15 goals and 10 assists this season. His direct involvement in 63% of Frankfurt’s Bundesliga goals make it clear why Die Adler are so hesitant to allow him to leave mid-season. Despite the team’s diverse attacking options, his departure would leave a considerable void with the potential for catastrophic effects as Frankfurt still have all to play for in the Bundesliga and Europa League.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund arrive in Frankfurt under immense pressure as their hopes of a top-four finish are fading quickly. A shocking 3-2 loss to Holstein Kiel highlighted their immense struggles, with Nuri Sahin’s side trailing 3-0 at halftime to a team that had only eight points prior to this match.

Second-half goals from youngsters Gio Reyna and Jamie Gittens offered a glimmer of hope, but the defeat was a fair reflection of Dortmund’s disarray. Sahin’s tenure as head coach now appears precarious, as Die Schwarz-Gelben sit many points adrift of the top four and outside the top half of the table at the season’s midpoint. It is truly an unthinkable scenario for a club expected to challenge Bayern Munich for titles, rather than compete against the likes of Mainz 05 and Werder Bremen for a chance at Conference League football. A loss to Frankfurt would all but extinguish Dortmund’s Champions League hopes, marking their first absence from Europe’s elite competition since 2015 and leaving fans questioning the direction of the club.

Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt Win

FC Bayern v VfL Wolfsburg

While Bayer Leverkusen’s relentless form continues to make the Meisterschale race interesting, FC Bayern appear unshaken by their competition, cruising to their third consecutive victory with a commanding performance on Wednesday. In what may be one of the most complete displays under Vincent Kompany’s tenure, Der Rekordmeister dismantled TSG Hoffenheim in a 5-0 triumph that showcased their dominance from start to finish.

The scoreline, if anything, flattered the opposition, as Bayern registered 25 shots and could have easily extended their lead further. Among a team firing on all cylinders, special praise belongs to Leroy Sané. The 29-year-old winger has had a mixed season in Munich, with inconsistency and an expiring contract fueling speculation about his future. Yet matches like Wednesday’s remind everyone of the impact he can still deliver.

Sané netted a brace for just the third time in his Bundesliga career, showcasing a sharpness and directness that had been missing in recent outings, such as the lackluster performance against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. His hunger and determination were clear, and Kompany will undoubtedly hope this marks the beginning of a resurgence for the winger.