Eintracht Frankfurt welcome Borussia Dortmund on Friday 9th of january 2026 night hoping to build on a modest upturn before the winter break, but they face a BVB side growing in confidence at a crucial stage of the Bundesliga season.
The Eagles may feel the break came too soon after taking four points from their last two games, including a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Hamburger SV. However, inconsistency has defined Dino Toppmöller’s campaign, with Frankfurt scoring just four goals in their last six matches and conceding 30 in the league so far.
Softfootball reported that despite those struggles, Frankfurt remain tough to beat at home, having gone unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga matches at Deutsche Bank Park.
Dortmund, on the other hand, arrive with momentum. A win here would mark their sixth victory in nine league games, underlining their resurgence under Niko Kovač.
BVB have found their scoring rhythm in recent weeks, netting nine goals across their last five Bundesliga matches, a run boosted by impressive wins including a composed 2–0 success over Mönchengladbach sealed by a late Beier strike, and a statement 2–1 victory against Leverkusen inspired by Chelsea loanee Aarón Anselmino. The club also posted on their X handle ahead of the trip:
Ab nach Frankfurt!
Team news
Team news sees Frankfurt without Jonathan Burkardt and Michy Batshuayi, forcing Ansgar Knauff to continue in an advanced role. Dortmund could be without Gregor Kobel, while Jobe Bellingham’s suspension opens the door 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.
Softfootball prediction
Frankfurt 1-2 Dortmund. Frankfurt’s home resilience may keep things tight, but Dortmund’s sharper attacking edge should prove decisive.
