The UEFA Europa League holders are still in the running in three competitions, but the DFB Cup possibly presents the best chance of glory - with memories fresh of the Eagles' 2018 cup win. Oliver Glasner has the luxury of a near full squad to choose from as Eintracht vie for a spot in the last eight. Kolo Muani is a shoo-in to lead the hosts' attack after scoring four goals in his last three Bundesliga appearances - and also scoring in the last round of the cup at Stuttgart Kickers (in a 2-0 win).
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Darmstadt: DFB Cup last 16 probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog! Randal Kolo Muani will try to keep his red-hot scoring form as Eintracht Frankfurt face Darmstadt and Patric Pfeiffer in the DFB Cup last 16. - © 2023 DFL Randal Kolo Muani will try to keep his red-hot scoring form as Eintracht Frankfurt face Darmstadt and Patric Pfeiffer in the DFB Cup last 16. - © 2023 DFLbundesliga9 hours agoRandal Kolo Muani will be eying a chance to keep his red-hot scoring form going as Eintracht Frankfurt take on Bundesliga 2 leaders Darmstadt in what promises to be an intriguing DFB Cup derby on Tuesday (kick-off: 8. 45pm CET). LatestA seven-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga has left Frankfurt fans dreaming of lifting another trophy this year.
Derby fever in Darmstadt "It's a derby, everyone here is excited, " explained Darmstadt head coach Torsten Lieberknecht. "We've played in big games of late against the likes of Hamburg, so we know what to expect. We want to deliver a performance befitting the occasion. We know Frankfurt are the favourites and we're the underdogs, but I've told the players to soak up the atmosphere and go out and enjoy themselves. " 3:15 Watch: All Kolo Muani's Bundesliga goals and assists Frankfurt's Main man (get it? ) has nine Bundesliga goals and a league-leading 10 assists so far this season. The Frenchman's also had a direct had in four goals in the UEFA Champions League and DFB Cup.
After a sensational 2-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the second round of the DFB Cup, they will be confidently hunting another big-name Bundesliga scalp. Their top scorer this season, Philip Tietz, found the net against Gladbach and is certain to spearhead their attack. Mathias Honsak recovered from long-standing ankle and back problems to make his first start of the season against Sandhausen on Friday - and score two goals in a 4-0 away win. Former Gladbach and Borussia Dortmund youngster Christoph Zimmermann is a key part of a backline that has helped Darmstadt to four clean sheets in their last five matches.
Only Bayern Munich (20) and Werder Bremen (six) have won the DFB Cup more often than Frankfurt (five), with their most recent title in 2018. Marvin Mehlem is this season’s joint-top provider in the DFB Cup with four assists, while Tobias Kempe leads the Bundesliga 2 standings with eight. This is Darmstadt’s eighth appearance in the DFB Cup last 16. They have only progressed to the quarter-finals once (in 1986/87). These sides have never met before in the cup. The record in the Bundesliga is three wins for Darmstadt and five for Frankfurt. The latter won the most recent encounter 2-0 at home in February 2017. Probable teams Frankfurt: Trapp – Tuta, Smolcic, Ndicka – Knauff, Rode (c), Sow, Max – Lindstrom, Kamada – Kolo Muani Out: Dina Ebimbe (ankle) Doubtful: Alidou (ankle), Wenig (metatarsal) Coach: Oliver Glasner Darmstadt: Schuhen – Zimmermann, Müller, Pfeiffer – Ronstadt, Schnellhardt, Kempe, Holland (c) – Mehlem - Tietz, Manu Out: Bader (operation), Gjasula (adductor), Seydel (tendon) Doubtful: - Coach: Torsten Lieberknecht LIVE blog! Absentees Glasner is without Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe and Jesper Lindstrom, while Matthias Bader, Aaron Seydel, Klaus Gjasula and Patric Pfeiffer are all missing for Darmstadt.
The absence of right-back Matthias Bader after an operation was not felt against Sandhausen, and they will relish the chance to test their defensive steel against the star-studded attack of local rivals Frankfurt. Watch: Frankfurt won the last encounter with Darmstadt 2-0 in 2017Match stats No player has been directly involved in more Bundesliga goals this season than Kolo Muani (19 – nine scored, 10 assists). The Frenchman also has a goal and assist each in the cup, but Kamada is Eintracht’s top scorer in the competition this season with two.
However, Rafael Borre might also fancy his chances of a start to prove he deserves more playing time. Daichi Kamada will hope to start again in midfield, especially having scored two in the cup's first round (a 4-0 win at Magdeburg). Hrvoje Smolcic also got a goal against the Kickers, and the Croatian centre-back is an option should Glasner decide to test one or two fringe players in the cup clash. Makoto Hasebe - a scorer the last time these sides met in 2017 - will most likely be rested after starting the last two league games. Darmstadt have been in quite astounding form in Bundesliga 2, losing only on the season's opening day. Their 18-match unbeaten league run took them to the top of the table in October - a position they haven't relinquished since.
Eintracht Frankfurt - Darmstadt 98 im DFB-Pokal
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Darmstadt 98, Übertragung: DFB-Pokal