Surjit Patowary

Tottenham Hotspur vs Eintracht Frankfurt Europa League Preview and Expert Predictions

Eintracht Frankfurt, Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs host Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in a crucial Europa League quarter-final first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 10 April.

This tie comes with immense pressure on Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, whose future at the club is widely seen to depend on Europa League glory.

Form Guide and Team Performance

Tottenham

Under manager Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham have experienced an inconsistent 2024/25 season domestically, languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table.

However, their European campaign has been a stark contrast, offering a lifeline for the Australian boss amid mounting pressure. Spurs finished fourth in the Europa League league phase with 17 points from eight matches (W5, D2, L1), scoring 17 goals and conceding 9.

Their latest domestic outing saw them edge past Southampton 3-1 with a brace from Brennan Johnson and a first goal in Lilywhite for Mathys Tel.

In Europe, Tottenham have been formidable at home, remaining unbeaten in their last 12 Europa League matches at their state-of-the-art Stadium (W10, D2). Spurs have also scored two or more goals in 10 of their last 11 home ties in the competition.

This is their first major European quarter-final since the 2018/19 Champions League, where they famously reached the final but lost to Liverpool.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Managed by Dino Toppmöller, Eintracht Frankfurt sit third in the Bundesliga with six games remaining.

In the Europa League, they finished fifth in the league phase with 16 points scoring an impressive 20 goals while conceding 12.

Their round of 16 tie saw them dismantle Ajax 6-2 on aggregate. However, a 2-0 loss to Werder Bremen on 5 April snapped a three-game winning streak across all competitions.

Frankfurt have a remarkable recent record in this competition, losing just two of their last 23 Europa League matches (W14, D7), a run that includes their 2021/22 title triumph.

Away from home, though, Frankfurt’s defense has been vulnerable, conceding two or more goals in their last 30 losses on the road.

Key Players and Stats

Tottenham Hotspur

  • Heung-min Son: The Spurs captain has contributed 8 goals and 6 assists in all competitions, including 3 goals in the Europa League. His two strikes in a 3-2 win over Frankfurt in the 2022/23 Champions League group stage highlight his threat against this opponent.
  • Brennan Johnson: The English winger has been in scintillating form, scoring 16 goals across all competitions in 2024/25. In the Europa League, he’s added 2 goals and 1 assist, making him a contender to start over Wilson Odobert.
  • James Maddison: The former Leicester player has rediscovered his spark, with 11 goals and 8 assists this season. His vision and set-piece delivery will be vital in unlocking Frankfurt’s defense..

Eintracht Frankfurt

  • Hugo Ekitiké: With Omar Marmoush’s departure to Manchester City in January, Ekitiké has stepped up as Frankfurt’s leading marksman. He’s been involved in 6 goals in 10 Europa League appearances this season (3 goals, 3 assists). In the Bundesliga, he’s their top away scorer with 5 goals.
  • Mario Götze: The 32-year-old World Cup winner remains a creative force, with 2 goals and 4 assists in Europe this campaign. His experience in big matchesmakes him a key figure.
  • Ellyes Skhiri: The midfielder’s tireless work rate has seen him contribute 1 goal and 2 assists in the Europa League, while his defensive nous will be crucial against Tottenham’s attacking midfield.

Head-to-Head Context

Tottenham hold a slight historical edge over Frankfurt, winning 2 of their 4 European meetings (D1, L1). Their most recent clash in the 2022/23 Champions League saw a 0-0 draw in Germany followed by a thrilling 3-2 Spurs win in London, with Son scoring twice.

Earlier, in the 1981/82 Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finals, Tottenham progressed 3-2 on aggregate.

Frankfurt, however, have won their last two trips to London in Europe—2-1 at Arsenal (2019/20) and 2-1 at West Ham (2021/22)—both in the Europa League.

Prediction

This promises to be a tight, high-scoring affair. Tottenham’s home form in the Europa League (unbeaten in 18 matches, W15, D3) gives them an edge, but Frankfurt’s attacking threat and European pedigree—unbeaten in 21 of their last 23 Europa League games—cannot be ignored.

Spurs’ attacking quartet of Son, Johnson, Maddison, and Solanke should exploit Frankfurt’s shaky away defense, while Ekitiké and Götze will test Tottenham’s backline.

Score Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

Tottenham are likely to edge it, taking a narrow lead to Germany, but Frankfurt’s resilience suggests the tie will remain alive for the second leg on 17 April.

Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals

  • Reasoning: Spurs have kept just 3 clean sheets in 10 European games this season, while Frankfurt’s away defense has conceded 2+ goals in 7 of their last 11 road losses. The 3-2 thriller in 2022/23 supports this high-scoring expectation.

Tottenham to Win & Both Teams to Score

  • Reasoning: Tottenham’s unbeaten home run in the Europa League (18 matches) and 4 wins in their last 5 home ties this season make them likely victors. However, their defensive lapses (no clean sheet in 8 straight games) and Frankfurt’s scoring form (6 goals vs. Ajax) suggest the visitors will find the net. This balances Tottenham’s home strength with Frankfurt’s attacking threat.

Brennan Johnson Anytime Goalscorer

  • Reasoning: Johnson’s 16 goals this season, including 2 in the Europa League and a brace against Southampton, highlight his form. Frankfurt’s defense has struggled away, conceding multiple goals in recent losses, and Johnson’s pace could exploit their high line.

Tottenham Over 6.5 Corners

  • Reasoning: Tottenham’s aggressive, wide play under Postecoglou generates corners consistently (7.1 per game in the Premier League, nearly 6 in Europe). They’ve hit this mark in 4 of their 5 home Europa League games this season, and Frankfurt’s counter-attacking style may force Spurs to dominate possession.

Correct Score: Tottenham 3-2 Frankfurt

  • Reasoning: A speculative but plausible punt, mirroring their 2022/23 encounter. Tottenham’s home scoring average (3+ goals in their last 2 Europa League home wins) and Frankfurt’s ability to score on the road align with this outcome. It’s high-risk but offers significant value.

Always gamble responsibly and consider all factors before placing a bet.​