Eintracht Frankfurt will host Borussia Dortmund on Friday evening, January 9, 2026, as they aim to capitalize on a slight improvement before the winter break. However, they will be up against a confident BVB team during a pivotal moment in the Bundesliga season.
The Eagles might believe the break came at an inconvenient time, having earned four points from their last two fixtures, which includes a 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Hamburger SV. Yet, inconsistency has been a hallmark of Dino Toppmöller’s tenure, with Frankfurt managing only four goals over their last six outings and having conceded a total of 30 in the league.
Softfootball notes that despite these challenges, Frankfurt has proven difficult to defeat at home, remaining unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga matches at Deutsche Bank Park.
Dortmund, conversely, come into this match buoyed by recent success. A win would signify their sixth victory in nine league encounters, reinforcing their resurgence under the management of Niko Kovač.
BVB has discovered their scoring ability recently, finding the net nine times in their last five Bundesliga matches. This streak includes notable victories such as a 2–0 win against Mönchengladbach, clinched by a late goal from Beier, and a 2–1 triumph over Leverkusen, inspired by Chelsea loanee Aarón Anselmino. The club also shared on their X account before heading to Frankfurt:
Ab nach Frankfurt!
Team news
The team news confirms that Frankfurt will be without Jonathan Burkardt and Michy Batshuayi, requiring Ansgar Knauff to take on a more advanced position. Dortmund could potentially miss Gregor Kobel, while Jobe Bellingham’s suspension opens opportunities for Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha.
Possible lineups
Frankfurt: Zetterer; Collins, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Larsson, Dahoud, Brown; Doan, Götze; Knauff.
Dortmund: Meyer; Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Brandt; Guirassy.
Prediction: Frankfurt 1-2 Dortmund. The home team’s defensive strength may keep the score close, but Dortmund’s more potent attack is likely to be the difference.
