Bayern Munich will host Eintracht Frankfurt this Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the iconic Allianz Arena, with the stakes high for both Bundesliga squads. Following two frustrating draws, Bayern aims to assert its dominance at home, but they face the pressure of potentially missing their talismanic striker, Harry Kane.
Coach Vincent Kompany's side, sitting atop the Bundesliga table with 55 points, seeks to regain momentum after draws against Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic. Kane, the league's leading scorer with 21 goals, is nursing a calf injury sustained during last week’s Champions League clash against Celtic. His absence would significantly impact Bayern's attacking prowess, as he has scored nearly half of their goals this season.
With Eintracht Frankfurt chasing the title and currently sitting third with 42 points, they are not without motivation. Coach Dino Toppmoeller has been instilling confidence among his players, particularly after the team's impressive unbeaten streak of seven matches. "We know we need a top performance on the day," Toppmoeller emphasized, hinting at their game plan to exploit any vulnerabilities Bayern may show.
The last encounter between the two teams was nothing short of thrilling, ending with a 3-3 draw where both teams showcased their offensive prowess. This match on Sunday promises more fireworks, especially with Bayern's recent form indicating they have averaged 2.8 goals per match over the last ten games. Should Kane be ruled out, Thomas Muller is poised to step up as the central striker, providing valuable experience for the home side.
While Bayern Munich boasts the best home record this season with 10 wins from 11 matches, their previous performance raises eyebrows. The players struggled significantly against Celtic, entering the match without managing any attempts on goal during the first half; Kompany partly attributed this lack of sharpness to their congested schedule.
Frankfurt will look to capitalize on this weakness as they aim to tighten their grip on third place, just five points behind second-place Bayer Leverkusen. With notable strengths in counter-attacking and pace, Frankfurt’s confidence is riding high. Toppmoeller noted, "We showed in the first half of the season (3-3) we have the weapons to hurt them, especially with speed. We will come up with the best possible plan and hopefully get something out of it."
The upcoming match certainly bears weight for all tasked with making the anticipated decisions. Odds are reflecting Bayern's home advantage, but the potential absence of Kane offers Frankfurt rays of hope. According to various bookmakers, Bayern Munich takes the favorite role with odds of 3/10 for the win.
Statistics reveal the recent dynamic between both squads. Bayern Munich has scored more than two goals per match during their last several home games, showcasing formidable attacking depth. Meanwhile, Eintracht has also shown positive form, even managing to net 1.8 goals per game over their last ten outings. The essence of competition reflects both teams as they head for this Sunday’s clash.
Only time will tell if Bayern can maintain their unbeaten home streak and fend off the challenge from Frankfurt, who are hungry for points. With kick-off set for 4:30 PM UK time this Sunday, fans from both sides will eagerly watch how this Bundesliga encounter plays out.