Hamburger SV vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Both sides looking to regain momentum

Both Merlin Polzin’s HSV and Kasper Hjulmand’s Leverkusen head into this clash searching for a response after a winless fortnight. With survival concerns lingering in Hamburg and Champions League ambitions under threat in Leverkusen, there is plenty riding on this midweek encounter.

Hamburger SV

After spending much of their long-awaited Bundesliga return hovering in mid-table, HSV are being reminded how fine the margins can be. Die Rothosen currently sit 11th, but with just four points separating them from the relegation play-off spot, the rear-view mirror is beginning to demand attention.

A 2-1 home defeat to RB Leipzig at the weekend ended a seven-game unbeaten run. Fabio Vieira’s early strike had set the tone, but HSV were punished for retreating too deep as Leipzig turned the contest around through Rômulo and Yan Diomande. Polzin did not hide his frustration post-match, pointing to his side’s drop in intensity after taking the lead.

The HSV coach has demanded a collective reaction tomorrow evening:

“Tomorrow, we want to come up with the right kind of reaction, both as eleven players on the pitch and as a whole club together. It’s about matching up to the standards that we set ourselves.”

Encouragingly for the north Germans, their home form remains relatively solid. They have lost just once in their last five Bundesliga outings at the Volksparkstadion and only three of 12 home matches overall this season.

Bayer Leverkusen 

Leverkusen’s recent wobble has seen them lose ground in the battle for the top four. Just one point from their last two matches leaves them sixth and six points adrift of Stuttgart, though this game in hand offers a valuable opportunity to close the gap.

At the weekend, Die Werkself were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Mainz. Sheraldo Becker fired the visitors ahead with 23 minutes remaining before Jarell Quansah rescued a point in the 88th minute. Hjulmand afterwards criticised his side’s lack of intensity and cutting edge in the final third.

The Dane remains confident of a response in Hamburg:

“We're travelling to Hamburg to play better. We will invest everything we can to win.”

Leverkusen’s away record is respectable - just three defeats in 11 league trips - but defensive vulnerabilities on the road are evident, with no clean sheet away from home so far this campaign.

H-2-H record 

This marks the first meeting between the sides this season. The clubs last faced off in 2018, when Leverkusen triumphed at the Volksparkstadion. Historically, Die Werkself have won four of the last five encounters - though much has changed since those previous meetings.

Team news

Hamburger SV: Nicolas Capaldo is sidelined for several weeks with an abdominal injury sustained against Leipzig. Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit and Albert Grønbæk remain unavailable, while Miro Muheim is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards.

Bayer Leverkusen: Arthur, Loïc Badé, Mark Flekken, Nathan Tella, Jeanuël Belocian, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Lucas Vázquez are all unavailable. Malik Tillman is expected to return to the squad.

Predicted lineups

Hamburger SV (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes (GK) - Omari, Vušković, Torunarigha - Gocholeishvili, Vieira, Remberg, Mikelbrencis - Königsdörffer, Downs, Otele 

Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1): Blaswich (GK) - Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba - Hofmann, García, Palacios, Grimaldo - Maza, Poku - Schick