Preview: Eagles versus Wolves

The situation

Eighth in the table and still unbeaten in the Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt travel to Lower Saxony on Saturday for a meeting with seventh-placed Wolfsburg. The Wolves have already suffered two defeats but with three wins they have two more points on the board than the Eagles, who have drawn their last four in the league. Kick-off at the Volkswagen Arena is at 15:30 CEST.

Eintracht have the luxury of a week without any European action. “Time in training always helps to discuss the things that we want to see at the weekend,” reflected sporting director Timmo Hardung following the 0-0 draw against SC Freiburg last time out.

A first away victory of the season in Wolfsburg is far from inevitable, though, as proven by VfL’s home outings so far. Having beaten 1. FC Heidenheim on Matchday 1 and 1. FC Union Berlin two weeks ago, ex-Eintracht coach Niko Kovac’s side could win their first three Bundesliga home matches for the first time since 2015.
 

Problems up front

Both Wolfsburg and Frankfurt have struggled in the attacking department so far this term. Eintracht have registered the fewest shots on goal in the league with 49, followed by VfL and Darmstadt 98 tied on 55 attempts. They’re also among the four Bundesliga sides yet to score a headed goal. “We need to improve in the final third,” recognises Kevin Trapp, who for his part boasts the best save percentage in the league with 83 percent.

Putting in the hard yards

Meanwhile, his outfield colleagues are impressing in other categories. Eintracht have registered the fourth most intensive runs per match with 696 – Wolfsburg have the highest figure with 749. The Green-and-Whites are also in the top four when it comes to distance covered per game (120.4 kilometres).

“Now it’s about getting more purpose in our play and trying to force goalscoring situations,” said board member for sport Markus Krösche. “That’s a process happening now. The team are growing together all the time, and then these things will also develop.”