As the UEFA Champions League league phase heats up, Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9, 2025, promises to be a clash of contrasting fortunes. The Catalan giants host the struggling German side at the iconic Spotify Camp Nou, with kick-off set for 8:00 PM CET. For Barcelona, this is a golden opportunity to solidify their top-eight aspirations and return to winning ways in Europe after a frustrating 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, arrive desperate for points to salvage a dismal campaign marked by defensive woes.
In this comprehensive Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt preview, we’ll dive into team news, head-to-head history, key tactical battles, potential lineups, and our score predictions to help you gear up for this pivotal fixture. Whether you’re a die-hard Blaugrana fan or tracking the Champions League odds, read on for everything you need to know.
Barcelona’s Form
Barcelona’s 2025-26 season has been a tale of domestic dominance and continental inconsistency. Hansi Flick’s side sit atop La Liga with a staggering 47 goals in 16 matches, showcasing an attack that’s firing on all cylinders. Their recent three-game winning streak—highlighted by a thrilling 5-3 comeback victory over Real Betis where Ferran Torres notched a hat-trick—has injected momentum ahead of this clash. Lewandowski, Yamal, and Raphinha have been lethal, combining for over 20 goals this term.
However, Europe’s elite have exposed vulnerabilities. Losses to PSG (2-1) and Chelsea (3-0), plus a 3-3 draw with Club Brugge, have left them 18th in the league phase with seven points from five games. Flick will demand a clinical performance at home, where Barcelona have won five of their last five across all competitions, averaging 3.3 goals per game.
Injuries remain a concern: Marc-André ter Stegen (injury), Ronald Araujo (suspended/personal), Dani Olmo (shoulder), and Gavi (knee) are sidelined. Joan Garcia steps up in goal, while Eric García’s versatility in midfield could prove key.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Struggles
Dino Toppmöller’s Eintracht Frankfurt are in dire straits, languishing 28th with just four points from five Champions League outings. A shock 5-1 opening win over Galatasaray feels like a distant memory amid three losses in their last four European games, including a humiliating 0-3 home defeat to Atalanta. Domestically, a 6-0 thrashing by RB Leipzig exposed their fragility, conceding 14 goals in the group stage—second-worst behind Ajax.
Frankfurt’s away form is equally alarming: just one win in their last six competitive road trips, with heavy defeats like 5-1 at Atlético Madrid. Absences compound the issues—Jonathan Burkardt (calf), Michy Batshuayi (injury), Hugo Larsson (muscle), and Jessic Ngankam (ineligible)—leaving their attack thin. Ritsu Doan and Mario Götze will need to conjure magic, but facing Barcelona’s press looks daunting.
Head-to-Head: A Bitter Memory for Barcelona Fans
These sides have met just twice, both in the 2022 Europa League quarterfinals. Eintracht stunned Barcelona with a 3-2 aggregate victory, including a famous 3-2 win at Camp Nou fueled by 30,000 traveling fans. That night remains a scar for the Blaugrana, but three years on—with Barcelona transformed under Flick and Frankfurt in flux—the dynamics have shifted dramatically.
| Match | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eintracht Frankfurt vs Barcelona | April 7, 2022 | Europa League | 1-1 |
| Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt | April 14, 2022 | Europa League | 2-3 |
Barcelona Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Joan García
- DEF: Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Alejandro Balde
- MID: Eric García, Pedri
- ATT: Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha
- ST: Robert Lewandowski
Eintracht Frankfurt Predicted XI (3-4-2-1)
- GK: Michael Zetterer
- DEF: Nnamdi Collins, Robin Koch, Arthur Theate
- MID: Rasmus Kristensen, Fares Chaïbi, Mahmoud Dahoud, Nathaniel Brown
- ATT: Mario Götze, Ritsu Doan
- ST: Jean-Mattéo Bahoya
Score Predictions: Barcelona to Dominate with Goals Galore
Barcelona enter as overwhelming favorites at 1/6 odds (85.7% implied probability), reflecting their firepower against Frankfurt’s porous defense. Seven of Barcelona’s last eight games have exceeded 3.5 goals, while Frankfurt have featured in three 5-1 thrillers this term.
Our Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
