Eintracht Frankfurt vs Spurs: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch | OneFootball

Spurs seek Champions League escape route in Frankfurt

Tottenham’s season continues to split into competing realities. Domestically, momentum has drained away, confidence following suit. In Europe, however, the Champions League has become a place of relative calm, even clarity. Wednesday night away to Eintracht Frankfurt offers Spurs a chance to turn that contrast into something tangible, with a top eight finish and automatic passage into the last 16 firmly within reach.

A commanding 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund last week changed the arithmetic. Spurs now know that victory in Germany would remove the need for a February play-off, a prospect that feels particularly unwelcome given how congested and unforgiving their domestic schedule already looks. With Premier League form faltering, the idea of two extra European fixtures is not appealing.

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Frankfurt’s own Champions League story has already ended. Elimination has stripped this fixture of consequence for them in the standings, but not necessarily of edge. There remains the lingering memory of last season’s Europa League quarter-final, when Tottenham edged the tie 2-1 on aggregate, including a 1-0 win in Germany. That context matters, even if priorities now lie elsewhere.

Stakes sharpened by Spurs inconsistency

Tottenham’s European performances have carried a coherence often absent at home. Sitting fifth going into the final round, they know a fifth win from eight matches would secure their place directly in the knockout stage. It is a level of control that has rarely been afforded to them this season.

That sense of fragility elsewhere remains relevant, though. The week began with a confident European display and was bookended by a miserable domestic run, defeat to West Ham followed by a late escape in a 2-2 draw at Burnley. It is that volatility which makes predicting Spurs such an uncertain exercise.

Kick off is scheduled for 8pm GMT on Wednesday, January 26, 2026, at Deutsche Bank Park. In the UK, the match will be shown live on TNT Sports 5, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm. Live streaming is available via the Discovery+ app and website.

Injury list threatens rhythm on both sides

Frankfurt will be without Elias Baum, Jonathan Burkardt, Michy Batshuayi, Timothy Chandler and Younes Ebnoutalib, all sidelined through injury. Spurs, however, travel in significantly worse shape.

Up to 10 players could miss the trip. Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro were withdrawn early during the draw at Burnley, prompting concern, even if Thomas Frank attempted to calm fears afterwards. “Two players who have played 90 minutes consistently being forced off will always raise alarms,” one source close to the squad suggested.

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Joao Palhinha’s return is eagerly awaited after three games out, especially with Conor Gallagher ineligible for the Champions League. Without Palhinha, responsibility may fall to Pape Matar Sarr or Archie Gray. Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur, Richarlison, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are all unavailable.

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Prediction shaped by motivation gap

Frankfurt arrive off the back of a poor home defeat to Hoffenheim and have slipped to eighth in the Bundesliga. With domestic priorities looming larger, rotation would be understandable. Spurs, by contrast, have clarity of purpose.

Still, the pattern of their season suggests caution. European composure has coexisted with domestic chaos, and this feels like another evening where control may not translate into dominance.

A draw would still leave Spurs sweating other results, but it would not be catastrophic. Given the circumstances, that may be how it unfolds.

Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Tottenham.

Head to head

These sides met in last season’s Europa League quarter-finals, with Tottenham winning 2-1 on aggregate, including a 1-0 away victory.

Frankfurt wins: 1Tottenham wins: 3Draws: 2