Preview: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Levski Sofia – August 31, 2023
Eintracht Frankfurt and Levski Sofia will face off in an enthralling UEFA Europa Conference League playoff. With the stakes high and a place in the group stage beckoning, both teams are expected to give their all at the Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday, August 31. Last week’s 1-1 draw indicates the closely-matched prowess of both squads, setting the stage for an intense return fixture.
Analysis: Eintracht Frankfurt – Frankfurt, in the recent past, has shown European pedigree by not only winning the Europa League in May 2022 but also making their maiden journey in the Champions League, where they reached the last 16 before losing out to Napoli. Their previous game against Mainz 05 ended in a 1-1 draw, displaying their fighting spirit by salvaging a point with a man down after a red card incident. Frankfurt’s new manager, Dino Toppmoller, seems intent on adding the Europa Conference League to their trophy cabinet, and advancing past Levski Sofia would be a significant step in that direction.
Randal Kolo Muani, who scored in the first leg, will be a player to watch, especially given his early breakthrough in the previous game. However, Frankfurt will be without key players like Lucas Alario, Mehdi Loune, and club captain Sebastian Rode due to injuries. New signing, Omar Marmoush, who made an instant impact in the last match, will likely feature prominently in the tie.
Levski Sofia – The Bulgarian outfit has shown resilience and is clearly not to be underestimated. Their recent track record indicates stability, having remained unbeaten in their last four games across competitions. A 1-1 draw in the first leg courtesy of Hassimi Fadiga’s late effort and more ball possession compared to Frankfurt is a testament to their capabilities.
However, playing away from home could pose a challenge, especially since their only shot on target in the first leg resulted in a goal. Their defense seems tight, with clean sheets against Shkupi and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, but Frankfurt’s attack will be a different beast altogether. Levski hasn’t tasted European group stage football since the 2010-11 campaign, adding to their motivation.
Prediction:
Given the past performances, home advantage, and the European experience, Eintracht Frankfurt appears to have the upper hand. Levski Sofia, while not to be taken lightly, might find it challenging away from home. Based on the available data and insights:
Goal.mu predicts: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Levski Sofia.
Frankfurt’s rich vein of form, particularly at home, combined with Levski’s potential difficulty in creating chances on the road, underpins this prediction.
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