Eintracht Frankfurt host Atalanta in a highlight clash from the centre of the Champions League table, as both sides hope to get closer to the Top 8.
Neither Eintracht, nor Atalanta have had an easy start to the season, but at least the Eagles are making steps in the right direction. Last week’s 4-3 win over FC Koln extended their unbeaten run to four matches and placed them in the European places.
However, the Eagles lag behind in the Champions League with just a single win in four rounds and four points total. We can’t neglect their difficult schedule, however, as Eintracht faced Napoli, Liverpool, and Atletico Madrid in their last three games.
Atalanta had a much easier path and accumulated seven points through their wins over Marseille and Club Brugge, but their domestic form raises questions. The Nerazzurri haven’t won in eight consecutive Serie A matches. And their last two matches were defeats with 3+ goals each.
How the bookies view it: They couldn't separate the two teams
You won't find a more evenly matched clash in the fifth round of the competition, with bookmakers giving both teams exactly the same odds. You can currently back Eintracht Frankfurt or Atalanta at 8/5 each, while the draw has been priced at 5/2.
Recent head-to-head: Eintracht – 2, Atalanta – 0, but in friendlies
This will be the first official meeting between the two teams, although they played a couple of friendlies over the past decade. Curiously, both games played out the same way – a 2-2 draw in regulation and a penalty win for the Eagles.
Players to watch: Burkardt is Eintracht's new gem
Eintracht Frankfurt’s scouting department has once again proved to be one of the best in Europe, as the team has once again found an immediate replacement to lead their attack. Jonathan Burkardt arrived from Mainz after a sensational campaign and is already proving to be one of the best Bundesliga transfers.
With 11 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this season, the 21-year-old has single-handedly won Eintracht multiple matches. Most recently, he nailed a brace against Koln, and will be the main threat in front of Carnesecchi.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Probable line-ups
Eintracht Frankfurt: Zetterer, Theate, Koch, Collins, Brown, Chaibi, Dahoud, Gotze, Kristensen, Bahoya, Burkardt
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Ahanor, Djimsiti, Kossounou, Bellanova, Ederson, Roon, Zappacosta, Ketelaere, Krstovic, Lookman
Anything else catch the eye?
Most of Eintracht Frankfurt’s matches this season had one thing in common – the excessive number of goals. In the Bundesliga, their matches average 4.5 goals and their average 2.45 goals scored per match individually.
Curiously, their CL matches have also featured 4.5 goals on average. Their attacking capabilities cannot be neglected and Atalanta’s latest matches hint at a potential home triumph. The Nerazzurri conceded three goals in back-to-back games, and we plan to back Eintracht to both win and score at least two goals.
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