Hamburg's compact back line can make Frankfurt work for each clean shot, while its wide outlets still give the home side a way forward. Frankfurt's aggressive first pressure meets a central passing chain that broke down in Hamburg's most recent game. The first useful pass out of the home defence should shape this cup tie.
Vieira and Nadir left the Paderborn match injured, and Hamburg's club has ruled them out along with Remberg and Poulsen for this tie. Tangvik is set to start in goal after Fernandes handled the recent league games; Moffi played a half at Paderborn, while Daka's minutes are being managed. Frankfurt can recover high and connect Doan or Chaïbi with Burkardt and Ebnoutalib, as their short return pass for the Köln winner showed.
Frankfurt should test that altered first pass early, then seek another close central touch when Hamburg's block settles. Hamburg can release Muheim or El Ouahdi wide, but its current central feed gives those runs less support than in its earlier late wins. That's why I'm siding with Eintracht Frankfurt to win this match.
