Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Eintracht Frankfurt play host to Antwerp at their Deutsche Bank Park in what is expected to be a highly-anticipated Europa League game. Die Adler are not enjoying a season to remember speaking of Bundesliga, but they booked their place in the Europa League knockout stages thanks to a 2-1 win over Olympiakos Piraeus. Eintracht did well to beat Freiburg in their last Bundesliga game, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as favourites to pick up all three points from Thursday’s clash.
A man to watch in the home team will be Inter target Filip Kostic, while Paciencia and Lenz miss out with injuries. Antwerp, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to St. Truiden, but given their display in a 3-0 defeat to Fenerbahce, we believe that home win should be considered. All Buta, Coopman, and Nsimba are likely to miss the game with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Timothy Chandler):
Timothy Chandler is a professional footballer, who started his senior career at Eintracht Frankfurt reserve team. In 2010 he signed for Nurnberg and he made 17 appearances for the reserve team. After playing 95 league games for Nurnberg he returned to Eintracht Frankfurt on 3 June, 2014, signing a three-year contract with his former club.
Chandler was born in Frankfurt on 29 March, 1990, but seeing that his father is American, the defender decided to play for the USA national football team. Chandler made his USA debut on March, 2011, coming as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Argentina.
The Freiburg defender made USA 2014 World Cup squad, but he did not play for the Yanks at the showpiece tournament in Brazil. It has to be noted that Chandler made 10 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2015/2016 Bundesliga campaign. His main position is right back, but he is capable of playing as a right midfielder and a right winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Antwerp):
Founded back in 1880, Antwerp is one of the oldest clubs in Belgium. The Great Old welcome their rivals at Bosuilstadion, the venue with the capacity of 16,144 people. Antwerp are well known for their red home kits, with the team wearing white shirts and white jerseys when playing on the travels.
Over the years Antwerp have been trying to close the gap between Belgian giants Anderlecht and Club Brugge, but they have yet to win the title in the recent history. The Great Old clinched their first domestic trophy back in 1929, with the team repeating the success two years later. The third and the fourth titles came in 1944 and 1957 respectively.
Beerschot A.C. are considered the club’s fiercest rivals, but they have a rivalry with Club Brugge as well. The club chiefs had a long-term partnership with famous English club Manchester United in the past, with Antwerp taking young footballers on loan to Old Trafford.