Hamburger SV vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: HSV looking to continue fine home form

Hamburg

Hamburg head into the weekend in 14th spot after collecting 16 points from as many games, leaving them four points clear of the bottom three. They have relied heavily on their home form, with 14 of their 16 points coming from their eight league outings at the Volksparkstadion. While they may be unbeaten in four top-flight home matches, HSV have taken just one point from their previous three outings in the Bundesliga.

After losing 4-1 away to Hoffenheim, Merlin Polzin’s side played out a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, before they fell to a 2-1 defeat in last weekend’s away meeting with Freiburg. HSV were supposed to be in action against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, but the game was postponed due to weather-related risks and subsequently rescheduled to March 4. 

As a result, they have had a full week’s rest ahead of their first home meeting with Gladbach since recording a 2-1 victory in May 2018. That result represented a third consecutive head-to-head home league victory. 

Team News

HSV are without Warmed Omari and Yussuf Poulsen due to ankle injuries, while Daniel Elfadli is suspended after being sent off by Freiburg last weekend. 

Predicted lineup: Fernandes; Capaldo, Vušković, Torunarigha; Jatta, Lokonga, Remberg, Muheim; Vieira, Dompe; Downs

Gladbach

Gladbach are sitting in mid-table position after winning five, drawing four and losing eight of their 17 league matches this season. Die Fohlen have lost three of their previous four Bundesliga outings, including a heavy 5-1 loss in their midweek away outing against Hoffenheim. Gladbach would have been bitterly disappointed to ship five goals, especially as they have seven clean sheets to their name this season - the fourth-highest tally in the Bundesliga. 

Eugen Polanski’s side will now look to avoid a third consecutive away loss in Saturday’s away clash with HSV. They will head to the Volksparkstadion with hopes of claiming their first away league win over Hamburg since securing a 2-0 victory in November 2013. 

Gladbach’s hopes of victory may depend on whether they can grab the opening goal. That is because they have won all five league games in which they have scored first, and have lost eight of the nine matches where they conceded the opener. 

Team News

Gladbach are unable to call upon the injured trio of Robin Hack, Nathan Ngoumou and Tim Kleindienst. As for Jonas Omlin, the goalkeeper is in contention to make the matchday squad after recovering from illness.

Predicted lineup: Nicolas; Sander, Diks, Elvedi; Scally, Reitz, Engelhardt, Neuhaus, Netz; Honorat, Tabaković