Frankfurt vs. Bayern Munich: Issues That Will Shape Bundesliga Game

Bayern Munich's barrage of blistering form looks set to continue this weekend when they travel to lowly Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. 

The Eagles have looked far from comfortable in the Bundesliga this season, and the sight of Pep Guardiola's German champions will surely offer little solace to their horrid run of form. 

However, Guardiola and his side are on a mission and following a very efficient win over Roma in midweek, confirming their spot in the next round of the Champions League, the Bavarian giants can now turn their attention back to the league championship.

Here's what should affect Saturday's game.

How Bayern Will Deal with David Alaba's Absence

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Although Bayern may have enjoyed significant success against Roma in the Champions League this week, Guardiola's side did unfortunately get dealt one heavy blow; David Alaba is out injured. 

The Bavarian club may have a whole roster of fit and able replacements, each with their own level of technique and skill sets, yet nobody in this squad can do what Alaba does so well. 

Arguably the most versatile of Guardiola's stars, the Austrian full-back-turned-midfielder has been deployed as a deep holding-midfielder who regular makes deep runs into the opposing box. Something that nobody else at Bayern will be able to do with such success. 

We await to see how the Catalan coach handles such a blow. 

Bayern Must Be Ready to Pounce on a Gladbach Defeat

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Bayern's match against Frankfurt is undoubtedly an important game for the club, but you'd forgive the manager and his key players for thinking the real match this weekend will come on Sunday when Gladbach take on Dortmund. 

The Foals have run Bayern close throughout the season and, along with Wolfsburg, look like the only side willing to test Guardiola's resolve in this year's league campaign. 

As such, the Bavarian side will have to be sure they pick up all three points on the road this weekend to make sure they still have the possibility of pulling away in first place should Lucien Favre's side fail to beat Dortmund. 

The Eagles Are in Free fall

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When Bayern make the quick trip west to take on Frankfurt at the Waldstadion they will come up against a wounded animal. 

The Eagles have found themselves in a spot of bother recently in the Bundesliga and currently sit on a run of form that has seen them lose their last three games in a row. 

Sitting in 12th position, four points above relegation, Thomas Schaaf's side will be desperate for any points at all and will undoubtedly throw everything at their Bavarian opponents on Saturday. 

Will Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben Both Start?

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In typical Bayern fashion, we follow up a slide discussing their troubles with an injured star player with another discussing the return of two more stars to the side. 

As we saw in midweek against Roma, former Ballon d'Or finalist Franck Ribery finally featured for his side and looks set to maintain a spot in the first team. 

Alongside the wide-forward, Guardiola should also welcome back Arjen Robben in a double team effort to overcome a feisty Frankfurt opponent. 

If both stars start and play to anything like they're capable of doing, we should expect to see something very special from this side. 

Bayern Must Be Wary of Lackadaisical Away Form

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Here's a stat that may startle you for a moment: Bayern have only won one game on the road in the Bundesliga this season. 

Yes, despite their dominance at the top of the league with little chance of a genuine opponent in sight, the Bavarian club have indeed struggled to match their expectations around Germany's top grounds this year. 

Although Gaurdiola's side have yet to lose on the road, either, they have dropped points at Schalke, Hamburg and, of course, Gladbach. Will their trip to Frankfurt prove to be just as troublesome?