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Eintracht Frankfurt logo
Europa Conference League | Group Stage
Oct 26, 2023 at 8pm UK
Commerzbank-Arena
HJK logo

Frankfurt
6 - 0
HJK Helsinki

Ebimbe (12' pen., 89'), Koch (27'), Marmoush (30'), Tuta (45+3'), Skhiri (55')
Koch (75')
FT(HT: 4-0)

Tenho (26'), Keskinen (29'), Peltola (42')

Preview: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. HJK Helsinki - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and HJK Helsinki, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt will attempt to claim their second win of the Europa Conference League group stage when they welcome HJK Helsinki to Deutsche Bank Park.

The visitors, meanwhile, are searching for their first win of the group phase after picking up a point from their first two matches.


Match preview

Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoller reacts on September 21, 2023© Reuters

Frankfurt made an encouraging start to their first Europa Conference League campaign after beating Levski Sofia in the playoff round, before they began the group stage with a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen.

However, their unbeaten record in the competition was brought to an abrupt end by PAOK defender Konstantinos Koulierakis, who netted a 92nd winner to condemn Frankfurt to a 2-1 defeat in Thessaloniki.

The defeat in Greece left die Adler with just one win in six competitive matches, but they have managed to steer back on course in recent outings, claiming consecutive league victories over Heidenheim and Hoffenheim.

Dino Toppmoller's side would have drawn massive confidence from Saturday's 3-1 win over Hoffenheim, as goals from Omar Marmoush, Ansgar Knauff and Ellyes Skhiri helped Frankfurt end a 14-game winless away league run.

After claiming their first Bundesliga away win since November, die Alder will return to the Deutsche Bank Park, where they are unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions, with their last home defeat taking place in February's Champions League clash with Napoli.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush celebrates scoring their first goal with Fares Chaibi on October 5, 2023© Reuters

HJK will turn their full focus to their remaining four group games after their domestic campaign drew to a close in dramatic circumstances.

After losing to VPS earlier this month, Toni Korkeakunnas's side went into Saturday's final match against title rivals KuPs with a three-point cushion.

Despite suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat in Helsinki, they were still crowned champions for a fourth consecutive season thanks to their narrow goal difference advantage.

The Finnish champions will have to put their celebrations on hold because they have significant work to do if they are to progress from the group stage of a UEFA competition for the first time in their history.

They currently have a point to their name after beginning the main draw with a 3-2 defeat to PAOK and a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen, and if they are to claim three points on Thursday, the visitors will need to end an eight-game winless away run in UEFA competition.

Eintracht Frankfurt Europa Conference League form:


Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):


HJK Helsinki Europa Conference League form:


HJK Helsinki form (all competitions):



Team News

Eintracht Frankfurt's Sebastian Rode walks off the pitch after being substituted after sustaining an injury on September 21, 2023© Reuters

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp is suspended after being sent off against PAOK, although the Germany international would have missed out anyway after an injury prevented him from featuring against Hoffenheim at the weekend.

Kristijan Jakic and Mehdi Loune remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Sebastian Rode and Simon Simoni are ruled out due to calf and elbow problems respectively.

Wing-back Niels Nkounkou was an unused substitute at the weekend, but after starting both of Frankfurt's opening two group games, he is in contention to start on Thursday.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the service of Maksim Stjopin and Dejan Iliev, while experienced goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa is a doubt after missing the last five matches.

Joona Toivio, who dropped down to the bench at the weekend, is likely to return to the backline, where he could be joined by Miro Tenho and Matti Peltola.

Having scored in both of HJK's opening two group games, Bojan Radulovic is an obvious goal threat for Thursday's clash with Frankfurt.


Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Grahl; Tuta, Koch, Pacho; Buta, Skhiri, Larsson, Nkounkou; Chaibi, Knauff; Marmoush

HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:
Ost; Tenho, Toivio, Peltola; Soiri, Lingman, Kanellopoulos, Hamalainen; Hostikka, Keskinen, Radulovic


SM words green background

We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 HJK Helsinki

Despite losing at the weekend, HJK will be in a buoyant mood after retaining their league title, but we think their celebratory feeling will be quashed by a Frankfurt side that usually save their best performances for their home games.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Frankfurt vs HJK Helsinki

Eintracht Frankfurt
87.0%
Draw
5.6%
HJK Helsinki
7.4%
54
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