Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head in a Bundesliga clash on Friday as both sides play their first match of 2026.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund – Match preview and team news

Eintracht Frankfurt team news

Frankfurt have bolstered their attacking arsenal with new arrivals aimed at addressing goalscoring struggles. Younes Ebnoutalib, who led the 2. Bundesliga’s scoring charts with 12 goals in 17 matches for SV Elversberg, has joined the Eagles on a permanent deal until 2031. Complementing this signing, Arnaud Kalimuendo has arrived on loan from Nottingham Forest with an option to buy for €27 million. Kalimuendo was a long-term target after a prolific spell in Ligue 1, where he scored 34 goals in 93 games for Stade Rennes.

However, the arrivals support a depleted attacking department. Jonathan Burkardt, who has netted eight league goals this season, remains sidelined with a calf injury. More concerning is the loss of Michy Batshuayi, who suffered a mid-foot fracture and has undergone surgery, ruling him out until at least April. Elias Baum is also unavailable due to injury.

Borussia Dortmund team news

Dortmund face their own squad concerns heading into the clash. First-choice goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has left the team’s training camp in Marbella, Spain prematurely due to illness, leaving his status for Friday’s match uncertain. If Kobel is unavailable, backup Alexander Meyer will deputise, though he has not played since November 11th.

The injury front has also seen Aaron Anselmino potentially nearing a return, with coach Niko Kovac hoping the defender will be ready by the weekend and Waldemar Anton, who is also expected to return as well.

Midfielder Pascal Groß has permanently departed to Brighton & Hove Albion on January 5th, though Kovac has ruled out signing a replacement, stating: “We are well set up with Jobe, Felix, Sabi, and also Salih. We won’t be doing anything more in this position”

Form

Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt ended 2025 inconsistently, managing only one win in their last six matches across all competitions. The Eagles drew 1-1 with Hamburger SV on December 20th, with Hugo Larsson equalising in the 26th minute. Currently sitting seventh in the Bundesliga table with 25 points, Frankfurt have managed just four goals in their last six matches, reflecting their attacking crisis.

Borussia Dortmund

The Black and Yellows secured a 2-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on December 19th, which was the last match Borussia Dortmund played in 2025. Currently trailing leaders Bayern Munich by nine points, Dortmund are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, with their only defeat this season coming against Bayern (1-2).

Predicted lineups

Eintracht Frankfurt: Zetterer; Collins, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Larsson, Dahoud, Brown; Doan, Gotze; Knauff.

Borussia Dortmund: Meyer; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Brandt; Guirassy.

How to watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund?

The match is listed to be shown live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website as part of the Friday-night Bundesliga package in the UK.

Read Also – Antoine Semenyo exit confirmed ahead of Man City transfer

See More – Glasner makes Guehi transfer prediction amid Liverpool and City links

Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube