The German Bundesliga returns this Friday with defending champions Bayern Munich travelling to Deutsche Bank Park to face current Europa League holder Eintracht Frankfurt in the first game of the 2022/23 Bundesliga season.
Venue: Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt)
Key Statistics
Eintracht Frankfurt picked up more points away last season (23) than at home (19).
The hosts ended last season without a win in their last eight league games (five draws and three losses).
They are unbeaten in five of their last six season-opening league games (W3, D2, L1).
Frankfurt’s summer signing Mario Götze made 114 competitive appearances for Bayern, producing 36 goals and 24 assists.
Bayern have not lost a Matchday 1 fixture for 11 years (1-0 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2011/12). They are bidding for a record-extending 11th straight Bundesliga title.
But the visitors have failed to win their last two opening away league games (D1, L1), conceding five times in the process.
Bayern have scored 2+ goals in 14 of their last 20 league matches
Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic scored the winning goal in Munich last season. He has been on the victorious side three times against visitors, losing the other 12.
Head to head
Frankfurt have enjoyed success against Bayern in recent times, winning two of the last three meetings between both sides (one loss).
However, those wins were their only win against the Bavarians throughout the last ten games.
Latest performances in all competitions
Frankfurt: W-W-W-D-W
Bayern Munich: W-L-W-D-D
Frankfurt
After a successful ending to their 2021/22 season, Frankfurt will look to begin the 2022/23 season on a high note when they welcome record champions Bayern Munich to Deutsche Bank Park this Friday.
The hosts were crowned UEFA Europa League champions last year when they beat Rangers on penalties. The feat qualified them for their first UEFA Champions League appearances and so they will hope they can begin what promises to be a remarkable season with a win against this all-conquering Bayern side.
Ahead of the new season, Oliver Glasner’s side have kicked off preparations by adding former Bayern and Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze to their ranks. The World Cup winner joins from PSV and brings in many experiences to Die Adler.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt come into this tie on the back of a 4-0 win over Magdeburg in the German DFB Pokal cup. Having not won any of their last eight league games, they will be desperate to get a win in their first as they aim to better their eleventh-place finish of last season.
Possible Frankfurt starting line-up
Kevin Trapp, Almamy Toure, Tuta, Evan N’Dicka; Ansgar Knauff, Djibril Sow, Sebastian Rode, Filip Kostic; Jesper Lindstrom, Mario Gotze; Santos Borre.
Injured: Jerome Onguene, Ajdin Hrustic, Randal Kolo Muani
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will look to begin their 60th Bundesliga season with a win when they travel to Frankfurt on Friday night.
The defending champions have already begun the season on a positive note after winning their tenth Super Cup victory last time out. The Bavarians beat RB Leipzig 5-3 on the night despite not starting the game with a recognised striker.
Having lost their star striker Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona this summer, Julian Nagelsmann’s side will be boosted by the form of summer signing Sadio Mane who wasted no time in finding the back of the net for his new side.
The Senegalese was on the scoresheet in the game against Leipzig and will be expected to start the game on Friday, alongside the exciting Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry.
Despite finding the back of the net in that game against Leipzig, Lorey Sane is expected to start from the bench while a red card for Joshua Kimmich means he will be unavailable for this game.
Possible Bayern starting line-up
Manuel Neuer, Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies; Joshua Kimmich, Marcel Sabitzer; Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Sadio Mane.
Injured: Leon Goretzka, Eric Choupo-Moting, Bouna Sarr
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Kingsley Coman
Prediction
Frankfurt 1-2 Bayern Munich
