Bayer Leverkusen will be out to confirm continental football for next season when they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the BayArena on Monday.
The hosts returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga with a comfortable victory last weekend, whilst the visitors were victorious in the semi-finals of the Europa League at West Ham United on Thursday evening.
Leverkusen survived an early scare to overcome bottom-of-the-table Greuther Furth last time out, eventually running out 4-1 winners to confirm the relegation of their hosts.
Patrik Schick picked up his first goal in two months to equalise in the opening stages, before Sardar Azmoun netted his first goal for the club since making the move from Russia in January.
Gerardo Seoane’s side were once again far from their best against their struggling opponents, but further goals from Paulinho and Exequiel Palacios in the second half sealed a comfortable win thanks to some clinical finishing.
The expected triumph ended a two-game drought in front of goal for Die Werkself, whilst also providing a much-needed boost to their Champions League hopes for next season after previously recording just two victories in eight matches across all competitions in the lead up to the trip.
However, with RB Leipzig collapsing late on against Union Berlin elsewhere on matchday 31, Leverkusen capitalised to climb back into third spot in the Bundesliga table.
With only four points separating Monday’s hosts from Union down in sixth place though, there remains plenty of work to be done across the final three games in order to seal a return to the Champions League.
Although, should Seoane’s men manage to better FC Koln’s result against Augsburg on Saturday, then a top-six spot would be secured to ensure continental football of some kind for the 2022-23 campaign.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s poor domestic form has seen their hopes of qualifying for continental football next season suffer an almighty blow.
A run of five games without a win in the Bundesliga, and only two victories in their last 10 league outings, has seen Oliver Glasner’s team slide down to ninth in the table ahead of matchday 32.
As a result, 11 points now separate Die Adler from Union in the final continental qualification spot, meaning hopes of a top-six finish were mathematically ended following last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim.
However, Frankfurt’s story in Europe could not be more different as they prepare to make the trip to the BayArena on Monday, with Thursday’s 2-1 victory at the London Stadium seeing them take a healthy advantage back to the Deutsche Bank Park the following Thursday.
Ansgar Knauff snuck in at the back post to provide Frankfurt with the perfect start inside the opening minute against the Premier League outfit, with Daichi Kamada tapping in the winner shortly after half time following Michail Antonio’s equaliser midway through the first half.
Despite the Japan international striking the woodwork later in the second 45, Glasner’s side were perhaps fortunate to come away with the advantage in the end following some monumental pressure from the Hammers in the closing stages.
Attentions must quickly switch back to the Bundesliga on Monday however, but despite there being the potential for Frankfurt to slip to a disappointing bottom-half finish domestically, full focus is sure to remain on the second leg of their Europa League semi-final tie later in the week, with the competition providing them with the only opportunity to qualify for continental football next season.
Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga form:
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Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions):
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Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:
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Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):
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We say: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
With Leverkusen having plenty left to play for in the Bundesliga in the closing stages, and Frankfurt focusing much of their attention on their Europa League semi-final ties, a home win is expected on Monday.
The hosts continue to play far from their best at the moment, but with the visitors struggling domestically, Leverkusen should run out winners to further strengthen their hold on third spot.