Frankfurt vs Borussia Monchengladbach – News and Probable Lineups

In search of their inaugural Bundesliga win under their new head coach, Eintracht Frankfurt is set to host Borussia Monchengladbach at Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday.

Die Adler are eager to build on their previous outing’s draw, while Die Fohlen aim to snap their streak without a victory.

Match overview

Frankfurt began their season on a positive note but had a rocky start to 2026, leading the club to part ways with ex-boss Dino Toppmoller in late January.

Die Adler appointed former Albert Riera as Toppmoller’s successor. The ex-Liverpool winger took charge of a squad that had suffered five losses and recorded only two draws in the seven matches leading up to his hiring.

Last Friday, under Riera, Frankfurt managed a thrilling 1-1 draw with Union Berlin, where Nathaniel Brown put Frankfurt ahead only for Oscar Hojlund to be red-carded shortly after, allowing Die Eisernen’s Leopold Querfeld to equalize from the spot.

Even though Riera’s first match wasn’t ideal, that draw broke a challenging four-match losing streak across all tournaments, leaving SGE in eighth place in the Bundesliga standings with 28 points.

While making the European places seems unattainable for now—as sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen is eight points ahead—claiming his initial home win in front of the fans at Deutsche Bank Park could create optimism and endear him to the supporters.

On the other hand, Eugen Polanski’s Gladbach have encountered difficulties after some commendable patches in the 2025-26 season and head into this weekend’s fixture without a win in their last five matches.

Most recently, Die Fohlen played out a 1-1 stalemate with Rhine derby competitors Leverkusen, who equalized thanks to an own goal by Philipp Sander.

Failing to secure a win last Saturday leaves Polanski’s team in 12th position in the league, with their 22 points precariously only three points above 16th-placed Werder Bremen, who are in the Bundesliga’s relegation playoff slot.

Gladbach will aim to avoid being caught up in a relegation battle, but traveling supporters may be concerned since the visitors have not won in any of their last four away matches, losing two of them.

Yet, a victory on Saturday could see Die Fohlen rise to ninth, providing them with a strong incentive to escape the bottom three.

Team News

Frankfurt will be less than ideal in their attacking options this weekend with strikers Michy Batshuayi, Younes Ebnoutalib, and Jonathan Burkardt all unavailable, though the latter is expected to return from his calf injury later this month.

In addition, attacking midfielder Can Uzun is ruled out due to a muscle issue, and right-winger Ansgar Knauff is a doubt because of illness. However, Arnaud Kalimuendo should be set to lead the line, supported by Mario Gotze and Fares Chaibi.

In the meantime, right-back Elias Baum is still rehabilitating from an MCL injury, and versatile defensive midfielder Oscar Hojlund is suspended following his red card against Union, so expect to see Ritsu Doan feature at right wing-back, alongside a double pivot of Mahmoud Dahoud and Hugo Larsson.

As for Gladbach, they also have multiple forwards missing, including Alejo Sarco—who suffered an ankle injury this week—and fellow forward Tim Kleindienst, although Franck Honorat and Haris Tabakovic will be available to start in a striking partnership.

Moreover, wingers Robin Hack and Nathan N’Goumou are still out with knee and Achilles problems, respectively, while Giovanni Reyna is managing a muscle injury.

Fortunately, Jens Castrop and Lukas Ullrich are ready to provide width from wing-back roles, flanking a back three consisting of Philipp Sander, Nico Elvedi, and Fabio Chiarodia, particularly since centre-back Kevin Diks is suspended.

Eintracht Frankfurt probable starting XI:

Santos; Kristensen, Koch, Collins; Doan, Skhiri, Larsson, Brown; Gotze, Chaibi; Kalimuendo

Borussia Monchengladbach probable starting XI:

Nicolas; Sander, Elvedi, Chiarodia; Scally, Reitz, Engelhardt, Stoger, Ullrich; Honorat, Tabakovic

Frankfurt aspires to secure their first win under Riera, but their defensive vulnerabilities indicate they might concede at least once.

Nonetheless, Gladbach’s recent away form has been poor, which may hinder their ability to exploit any weaknesses in their opponents’ defense.