Preview: Playing for Europe | OneFootball

In the 100th Bundesliga match between these two storied clubs, both Frankfurt and Mönchengladbach have their fate in their own hands and are desperate for three points.

The backdrop: one more win to make sure

This season, it seems an age since Eintracht Frankfurt occupied anything other than sixth spot in the Bundesliga. Indeed, you would have to go back over 20 weeks to find them elsewhere in the standings. Head coach Dino Toppmöller’s side have been in the top third of the table ever since Matchday 16, when two late goals against none other than Borussia Mönchengladbach gave them a 2-1 win just before Christmas. Another victory over the same opponents at Borussia-Park on Saturday 11 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST) would secure that sixth spot for Eintracht and a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League.

Looking back: the late, late show

When the two sides met earlier in the season, Eintracht found themselves a goal down until stoppage time, when Aurélio Buto (90’+2) and Robin Koch (90’+7) turned the match on its head and gave the Eagles a 2-1 win. Toppmöller’s team are keen to bag another three points on this penultimate Bundesliga matchday. “We’ve got two games left and we know what we need – and that’s a win,” said Ellyes Skhiri. “We’re looking to come away from Gladbach with the three points.”

Ekitiké hitting his stride

Having opened his account in the 3-1 home win over Augsburg, Hugo Ekitiké also scored in the subsequent defeats against Bayern Munich (1-2) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen (1-5). That makes it three goals in as many Bundesliga matches for the winter signing, after drawing a blank during his first nine appearances for the club. Eintracht will not care who finds the back of the net against Mönchengladbach on Saturday, so long as they manage to book their spot in Europe for next season.