Europa League: Streaking Barcelona Look to Soar Past Eagles

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Barcelona

Barcelona are the big favourites to win this year’s Europa League and based on their outstanding form of late, it’s hard to see who can stop them.

Eintracht Frankfurt will give it their best shot, though, as they host the Spanish giants for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Frankfurt have proven to be quite formidable in this competition. They are just a few years removed from reaching the semi-finals, and they are coming off a surprise victory over another Spanish side in Real Betis in the round of 16.

However, the Europa League 2022 betting odds will still have them as big underdogs at home against Barca, who have been unbeatable in recent months.

Talking Points

Barcelona’s unbeaten run continues

Barcelona are looking unstoppable at the moment. The Blaugrana are unbeaten in their last 14 La Liga matches – the longest active unbeaten run in the top five European leagues – and in their last 13 matches in all competitions as Xavi has them looking like the dominant side that he played for in the past.

Barca beat Sevilla 1-0 in their big La Liga clash this weekend, which has seen them jump up to second spot in the standings. Ousmane Dembele was brilliant once again as he set up Pedri for the only goal of the game. The French winger has now provided eight assists in his last six La Liga games, which has prompted the club to renew contract talks.

However, Xavi has been hesitant to start Dembele in Europe. All four of his appearances in the Europa League this season have been as a substitute, and it remains to be seen whether his recent form is enough to get him the start. Adama Traore and Memphis Depay are contenders to start in Dembele’s place.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to start up front, though. The Gabonese striker had a quiet game against Sevilla, which brought his three-game scoring streak to an end. However, he is a big-game player who scored in the away leg against both Napoli and Galatasaray in the Europa League and in El Clasico, so Xavi is expected to stick with him as the main striker.

Barcelona have been in imperious form away from home of late. They have won six of their last seven away from the Camp Nou while scoring two goals in each of the last six. That includes four-goal eruptions in wins against Valencia, Napoli, and Real Madrid.

Frankfurt’s lack of firepower in question

Eintracht Frankfurt are riding their own unbeaten run into this quarter-final first leg. The Eagles have gone six straight games without defeat. That includes their two-legged triumph over Spanish side Real Betis.

Although, Oliver Glasner’s side suffered a disappointing goalless draw against bottom-side Greuther Fuerth this past weekend. The Eagles attempted 21 shots in total, but they just could not find a way to goal.

Unlike in past seasons when they had the likes of Sebastien Haller, Luka Jovic, and Andre Silva, Frankfurt simply lack a top-class striker this season. Rafael Borre is the team’s leading scorer with eight goals, but he has not delivered too many Europa League 2022 highlights, scoring just once in eight appearances.

Although, they do have a more than capable creative spark in Filip Kostic, who has provided eight assists in the Bundesliga this season. He also scored a crucial goal in the first leg against Real Betis.

But one big thing going against Eintracht Frankfurt is their horrible home record. They have won just one of their last seven home games in all competitions, including a run of four straight defeats in the league. Moreover, they’ve won just once in four Europa League home fixtures, with three draws.

History

This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs. They had previously met in friendlies, the last of which came all the way back in 1976. Barcelona won 2-0.

However, Barca have not have a great record in Germany in recent years. They have won just one of their last visits, with two draws and three defeats.

Betting Tip 

SBOTOP odds have Barcelona installed as big 1.71 favourites over Eintracht Frankfurt, who are priced at 3.95 to get the home win. Meanwhile, a draw is 3.85.

Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at the Camp Nou by Galatasaray in the previous round, so they are not entirely unstoppable. Galatasaray had quite a defensive gameplan against Barca, and Frankfurt are likely to be conservative as well, even at home.

But still, Barca have the firepower to bring down Frankfurt like they did Napoli and Real Madrid away from home. Look for the Catalans to score a comfortable win in the first leg.

 

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