Bundesliga Matchday 16 | Deutsche Bank Park | Friday, January 9, 2026
Eintracht Frankfurt welcome Borussia Dortmund to Deutsche Bank Park on Friday night (8:30 PM CET, 2:30 PM ET) as the Bundesliga returns from its three-week winter break. Dortmund sit third on 32 points with just one defeat all season, possessing the league’s best defensive record with eight clean sheets. Frankfurt occupy sixth place on 25 points but enter 2026 on shaky ground after ending 2025 with three defeats in their last six matches.
The stakes are clear for both sides. Dortmund aim to close the gap on the league leaders immediately after the break, while Frankfurt need a statement victory to reignite their European qualification push. This Friday night opener under the floodlights will test whether the winter break has refreshed Frankfurt’s confidence or entrenched their recent struggles.
Dortmund’s Historical Edge
The head-to-head record favors Dortmund, who have won five of the last 10 meetings overall compared to Frankfurt’s three wins. At Deutsche Bank Park specifically, the last six encounters show Frankfurt with two wins against Dortmund’s one, with three draws. Notably, the last four meetings between these sides have produced decisive results with no draws. Dortmund hold four wins by two or more goals in the last 10 overall, including emphatic victories like 4-0 and 3-1.
Frankfurt’s Worrying Late-2025 Slide
Frankfurt’s last six matches reveal concerning form: W2-D1-L3, scoring just 1.33 goals per game while conceding 2.17. Their final weeks of 2025 included a crushing 6-0 defeat to RB Leipzig and a 2-1 Champions League loss to Barcelona. At home specifically, they have won two of their last three (2.00 goals for, 1.33 against per game), including victories over Augsburg and Wolfsburg, showing they can still deliver at Deutsche Bank Park despite broader inconsistency.
Dortmund’s Defensive Solidity
Dortmund arrive unbeaten in their last six matches (W3-D3-L0), conceding just 0.67 goals per game while scoring 1.83. Their away form shows one win and two draws in their last three road trips (1.33 goals for, 0.67 against per game), underlining their defensive discipline. Nuri Sahin’s side rarely concede more than one goal away from home and lead the Bundesliga with eight clean sheets, built on the Waldemar Anton and Nico Schlotterbeck partnership.
Tactical Contrast
Frankfurt operate with transition-heavy football (48 percent possession, 11.8 shots per game) under Dino Toppmöller, looking to exploit Dortmund’s high line using Omar Marmoush’s pace. Dortmund favor controlled buildup (55 percent possession, 14.5 shots per game), prioritizing defensive structure before relying on Serhou Guirassy and Julian Brandt for individual brilliance. The key battle will be Marmoush against Anton, with Frankfurt’s MVP facing a center-back who knows his game intimately from Bundesliga experience.
Injury and Suspension Concerns
Frankfurt face a striker crisis with Michy Batshuayi (calf) and Jonathan Burkardt (injury) both out, while Hugo Ekitiké’s fitness remains doubtful. The goalscoring burden falls entirely on Marmoush. Elias Baum is also sidelined.
Dortmund lose Jobe Bellingham to suspension through accumulated yellow cards, with Marcel Sabitzer or Felix Nmecha expected to deputize in midfield. Aaron Anselmino remains injured, while Waldemar Anton and Karim Adeyemi are doubts after the winter break.
Probable Lineups
Eintracht Frankfurt (3-4-2-1): Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, Nkounkou; Marmoush, Chaibi; Ekitiké.
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Couto, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Gross, Nmecha; Beier, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy.
Numbers to Watch
Eight clean sheets for Dortmund this season, most in the Bundesliga. Three defeats in Frankfurt’s last six matches. Six consecutive matches unbeaten for Dortmund. Three weeks since either side played competitively. Average of 3.4 goals per game in the last five meetings at Frankfurt.
Where to Watch
German viewers can watch on DAZN. US coverage is on ESPN+ (2:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM PT). UK viewers can watch on Sky Sports. Referee Felix Zwayer takes charge in cold Frankfurt conditions (2°C).
