Hamburg welcome Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to the Volksparkstadion on Saturday.
The promoted side are battling to stay clear of the dropzone, while the defending champions are looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season.
Hamburg vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 31st January.
- Kick-off: 5:30pm BST.
- Venue: Volksparkstadion, Hamburg.
Hamburg team news
Head coach Merlin Polzin remains without several key attacking options as Hamburg continue to wrestle with a lack of cutting edge in the final third. Norwegian winger Alexander Rossing‑Lelesiit faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in the local derby against St. Pauli, with reports suggesting his season could be over. Fellow forward Yussuf Poulsen is also out after another injury setback, while Aboubaka Soumahoro, Damian Downstairs, and Fabio Balde have been listed as unavailable as well.
Polzin has publicly acknowledged that his side needs to become “more dangerous in attack” and confirmed the club are working closely with the scouting and medical departments to find solutions in the market and within the squad. With options limited on the flanks, the creative burden again falls on Fábio Vieira and Rayan Philippe.
Bayern Munich team news
Konrad Laimer suffered a torn muscle in his left calf during the 3-1 victory over FC Köln, sidelining him for the foreseeable future.
However, positive news arrives with the return of key players from injury. Jamal Musiala made a triumphant return to the starting eleven on Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven, scoring from a tight angle in Bayern’s 2-1 Champions League victory. “I’m really pleased with my goal. Now, my focus is on the next match and on continuing to elevate my performance,” Musiala remarked after his comeback.
Bayern confirmed that defenders Raphaël Guerreiro (calf) and Josip Stanišić (ankle) have recovered from their respective injuries and could return to the squad for Saturday’s fixture.
Form
Hamburg
Following promotion to the Bundesliga last season, Hamburg have experienced their most difficult spell since returning to the top flight. The club has gone five consecutive Bundesliga matches without victory — their longest winless run since going up — though they have drawn two of their last three outings and kept clean sheets in consecutive matches for only the second time this term.
Hamburg’s last Bundesliga victory came on 7th December when they overcame fellow relegation battlers Werder Bremen 3-2. The northern club occupy 14th position with 18 points.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich suffered an unexpected 2-1 home defeat to FC Augsburg on January 24, ending their unbeaten Bundesliga run at 27 matches — a surprising setback for the division’s favourites.
However, Vincent Kompany’s side bounced back in the Champions League by defeating PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in midweek, securing second place in the group and automatic qualification to the round of 16. Bayern maintain an eight-point lead at the summit of the Bundesliga table over Borussia Dortmund.
On the road, the Bavarian outfit has proven nearly unstoppable; Bayern have taken 25 of a possible 27 points from nine away matches this season — equalling their own club record set in 2012/13. Remarkably, they have scored two or more goals in all of their last 13 Bundesliga away matches, a first in the competition’s history.
Predicted lineups
Hamburger SV: Fernandes; Capaldo, Vuskovic, Torunarigha; Jatta, Lokonga, Remberg, Muheim; Vieira, Konigsdorffer, Philippe
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Bischof, Upamecano, Kim, Ito; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane
How to watch Hamburg vs Bayern Munich
Sky Sports Football will carry the fixture in the United Kingdom.
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