Can Frankfurt upset Bayern in DFB Pokal final?

Frankfurt enjoyed a fine season in the Bundesliga, though a stuttering finish saw them end in eighth place on the log. At one stage they looked like challenging for a top-four berth and the great work done by manager Niko Kovac has earned rave reviews.

So much so that he will in fact succeed the outgoing Jupp Heynckes at Bayern Munich once the current season is closed, with the Bavarians announcing his recruitment last month.

Kovac will want to leave Frankfurt on a high, but beating ‘FC Hollywood’ is a tough task. Bayern romped to the Bundesliga title this season, finishing 21 points clear of runners-up Schalke (despite losing 4-1 at home to Stuttgart at home this past weekend), and in the DFB Pokal they have been ruthless, winning their quarter- and semifinal 6-0 and 6-2 respectively.

It’s highly likely Heynckes team will complete a league and cup double, taking them up to a record-extending 19 DFB Pokal titles if they do indeed romp to victory.

In head-to-head stats, Bayern and Frankfurt have met in 94 matches across all competitions. The Bavarians have claimed 53 wins compared to 20 for the Eagles, while 21 games have been drawn.

The teams’ most recent clash was a Bundesliga clash at the Allianz Arena in late April, with Bayern cruising to a 4-1 victory thanks to strikes from Nikklas Dorsch, Sandro Wagner, Rafinha and Nikklas Sule.

That result extended Bayern’s unbeaten record against Frankfurt to 14 matches across all competitions. The Eagles haven’t beaten the heavyweights since way back in March 2010.

Recent form, latest results first

Bayern | L | W | D | W | L
Frankfurt | L | W | L | L | W

Head-to-head, all competitions

Matches played 94

Bayern wins 53

Frankfurt wins 20

Draws 21

Bayern goals 187

Frankfurt goals 106