Can Frankfurt nip their mini-downturn in the bud?

Just two weeks ago, it would have been unthinkable that Eintracht Frankfurt would suddenly have to contend with a dip in form this season just before Christmas. After the disappointing elimination in the DFB Cup and the equally sobering 2-2 draw in the Bundesliga against FC Augsburg, the downward trend is to be nipped in the bud immediately. To do so, the SGE team is traveling to the third-largest city in France. Before the kick-off of the Lyon vs. Frankfurt game, however, the tip for the hosts is being quoted at lower odds.

The task awaiting the Hessian team is therefore an extremely complicated one, but one that also has its special appeal. If a prediction of a three-pointer for the away team between Lyon and Frankfurt comes true, the team of coach Dino Toppmöller would hardly be denied a direct ticket to the round of 16 in the Europa League. However, if the French side scores three points, they will move up to second place in the table and even overtake the SGE thanks to their better goal difference.

Lyon – Statistics & current form

After a slow start to the season with just one win and three defeats in the first five matchdays, Olympique Lyon have recovered well in recent weeks and months. Since October 24, coach Pierre Sage’s team have not lost in any competition. In fact, they have only lost two of their last 17 competitive games. Interestingly, three of the four defeats this season have come at home. However, with Lyon now having notched up eight consecutive unbeaten matches, it takes courage to predict a win for Frankfurt between Lyon and Frankfurt.

Will the confident French run into an open goal?

However, there are also aspects that could tip the scales in favor of the Bundesliga club on Thursday evening. For example, OL lost two of their last three Europa League home games, including a 1-0 loss to Besiktas in the current season. Lacazette, Cherki and Co. have only scored two of their previous twelve goals in the EL league phase at home. Apart from that, the former French champions have only won once in their last five European home games against German teams (1-2-2).

Because “Les Gones” are also bursting with self-confidence after their recent strong performances and impressive results, as well as eleven goals scored in their last three competitive games, it can be assumed that the individually strong home side, who invested almost €150 million in the squad over the summer, will want to control the game and possession.

In my opinion, this is precisely where the opportunity lies for Eintracht, who are strong on the counterattack and can make the most of their outstanding pace when winning the ball. This is one of the reasons why the odds of 2.00 on the X2 & under 4.5 from the Oddset app can be found in the top tip table above. Despite the justified praise for their current form, it should not be ignored that OL have conceded at least one goal in seven of their last nine matches and also had to live with a flattering 2-2 against the weakening Kraichgauer from Hoffenheim.

Frankfurt – Statistics & current form

For many weeks, Eintracht Frankfurt performed at the limit. In the Bundesliga, the Hessians marched from victory to victory and in the Europa League, the 2022 title holder also put itself in a very good position in the race for the top eight. However, the ease and flow have been lost recently. Both in the crashing 3-0 defeat in the cup round of 16, as well as in the 2-2 home draw in the league against FC Augsburg.

Admittedly, however, this is still complaining at the highest level, because in the German top flight, it is currently six matches without defeat again. Across all competitions, Toppmöller’s team even only lost three times in the entire season. In second place in Germany and hot on the heels of Bayern Munich, I think the eagle-bearers can do something against the fifth-placed team in Ligue 1. For example, risk-loving bettors should keep an eye on the DNB 2 between Lyon and Frankfurt at great odds of 2.40 at LeoVegas.

Frankfurt has 13 points after five Europa League match days

The team’s strong performance in this phase of the Europa League so far also speaks in favor of this. After the self-inflicted 3-3 draw against Viktoria Plzen on the first matchday, Omar Marmoush and Co. followed up with four wins. Eintracht won the difficult away game at Besiktas 3-1 and also the complicated away game at the Danish champions Midtjylland 2-1. So it remains the case that when the floodlights come on Thursday evening and the SGE entourage is supported by thousands of away fans, anything is possible – usually in a positive sense!

Those who are still looking for an outright bet in this top game between the third and seventh-placed teams in the EL will once again find what they are looking for in a goal scorer tip on Omar Marmoush. Firstly, because the odds of 2.87 in the Bet365 app are still far too high considering his offensive quality. On the other hand, no other player has been involved in more goals than the Egyptian, who also takes free kicks and penalties. It is quite possible that Marmoush will be celebrating again in Lyon.

Lyon – Frankfurt direct comparison / H2H record

This is the first meeting between these two clubs in the European Cup. As already mentioned, Lyon have only won one of their last five international home games against German teams. Eintracht, on the other hand, have always managed to beat French clubs in their last six encounters. It has been almost 50 years since Frankfurt last lost to a Ligue 1 team.

Lyon – Frankfurt Tip

Two co-favorites for the 2024/25 Europa League triumph will cross swords at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday evening. On paper, Olympique Lyon, currently fifth in the table from France, is favored against the second-placed team from the Bundesliga. This assessment is certainly daring, especially since the SGE collected 13 out of a possible 15 points on the first five Europa League matchdays, only conceded three defeats over the entire season and even tend to look forward to facing an opponent who pursues an offensive approach and thus opens up spaces for their own transition play.

Although the Sage team should not be underestimated after eight unbeaten competitive games in a row and a satisfactory EL league phase with ten points, we still see the opponents as absolutely on par. The Lyon vs. Frankfurt tip on the DNB 2 therefore offers more value. LeoVegas is offering a 2.40, which I confidently play with five units.