Preview | Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund: The Bundesliga returns! | OneFootball

The Bundesliga is back with a blockbuster to kickstart 2026! On Friday evening, Eintracht Frankfurt hosts Borussia Dortmund in what has to be a must-win for the home side if they’re serious about Champions League football next season. For BVB, it’s an early chance to solidify second position, whilst putting the pressure (somewhat) on league leaders Bayern Munich. 

Eintracht Frankfurt

The Eagles ended 2025 with a draw and in a disappointing 7th position, having been inside the top four for sometime during the first half of the season. On 25 points, Frankfurt can jump up to 5th with a win and within a point of Bayer Leverkusen in 3rd before the weekend’s fixtures. 

Dino Toppmöllers side’s Achilles heel this season has been their defence. Frankfurt have conceded 30 goals in the Bundesliga this season – a stat that can only be beaten by the league’s bottom two sides. Playing against a solid BVB side with great attacking threat could spell danger if they haven’t addressed their defensive woes over the break. 

However, there is reason to be optimistic for Frankfurt fans. 

The Eagles are unbeaten in their previous four home matches in the league (albeit against teams in the bottom half of the table). 

When it comes to their head-to-head record against Dortmund, they haven’t lost to them in the Bundesliga at home since October 2022, more often than not drawing the tie. 

Borussia Dortmund

BVB look at different side under Niko Kovac this season, looking more solid at the back, whilst packing a punch up top. 

Die Schwarzgelben (The Black and Yellow) are unbeaten in their previous eight Bundesliga matches, with their last defeat coming from Bayern Munich. What’s more, they’ve kept clean sheets in two of their last four fixtures in the league, meaning they can be a hard team to break down. 

A win for Kovac’s side would put them on 35 points, six behind the league leaders. Whilst there’s only a slim chance they could catch Bayern, the victory does put some space between them and the chasing pack. 

Three points on Friday puts BVB six points behind Leverkusen and RB Leipzig who occupy 3rd and 4th respectively. 

Team News

Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt have to contend with a couple of injury issues in attacking positions going into this one. Jonathan Burkardt is absent due to a calf injury, whilst Michy Batshuayi is also out with a foot injury. 

Jean Bahoya is also out with illness, meaning Mario Götze and Ritsu Doan will start in a double 10 behind Ansgar Knauff.

Borussia Dortmund

For BVB, the only major issue is goalkeeper Gregor Kobel who remains a doubt through illness. If he is somewhat fit enough to start, you’d imagine he will. 

However, should he be ruled out, Alexander Meyer will start between the sticks. Other than that, it’s a full strength BVB side in Germany’s banking capital. 

GGFN | Jamie Allen