Hoffenheim vs. Hamburger SV preview: HSV keen to build on derby win
| Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images |
TSG Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim’s four-game winning streak came to an end last week, as the Sinsheim side were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.
Despite this setback, Christian Ilzer’s team remains impressively in fifth place as they look to bounce back against Hamburger SV at the PreZero Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Sinsheim side can take confidence from their strong home form, having won their last three games at the PreZero Arena: 3-1 against Heidenheim, 3-1 against RB Leipzig and 3-0 against Augsburg.
Their last encounter with Hamburger SV also came at home – back in April 2018 – when goals from Serge Gnabry and Adam Szalai secured a 2-0 win for Hoffenheim, who were coached by Julian Nagelsmann at the time.
Team News
Hoffenheim will be without Hennes Behrens (ankle), Koki Machida (knee) as well as Bernardo (suspended). The latter's absence could see Albian Hajdari being shifted to left-back, with Ozan Kabak coming into central defence. Alternatively, Hajdara could stay centrally, and Alexander Prass could start on the left.
Predicted lineup: Click here to see our predicted Hoffenheim XI against HSV.
Hamburger SV
Coming off a morale-boosting 3-2 Nordderby win over Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV will enter the game having won their last two Bundesliga matches.
After a difficult start to the season, Merlin Polzin’s side have climbed to 13th in the Bundesliga table.
However, one ongoing issue is Hamburg's poor away form – they have yet to win on the road, drawing two and losing four Bundesliga away games.
This currently makes HSV the worst away team in the league, and they will likely be eager to change that this weekend.
Team News
The visitors will have to manage without Robert Glatzel (thigh), Warmed Omari (ankle) and Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit (muscular) due to injuries. Nicolai Remberg is suspended, meaning that Jonas Meffert could be handed a rare start in the middle of the park.
Predicted lineup: Click here to see our predicted Hamburger SV XI against Hoffenheim.
