Borussia Dortmund will look to make it three consecutive wins in the Bundesliga when they host newly-promoted Hamburger SV.
Hamburger SV will look to further bolster their chances of survival in the German top flight with a win over Borussia Dortmund away from home. Meanwhile, the team in black and yellow can take a massive step towards UEFA Champions League qualification with a win here.
The home team are second on the table with 58 points in their 26 games. They have won 17, drawn seven, and lost two league games so far. While the Black and Yellows have not really done much wrong, they are nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich, and with just eight games to go, the title race is pretty much over.
However, Borussia Dortmund are 11 points clear of fifth-placed RB Leipzig, and a win here pretty much guarantees Champions League qualification. Niko Kovac’s men have won their last two league outings against FC Koln and Augsburg, and they should be confident about making it three in a row.
The visitors are 11th on the table with 30 points in their 26 outings. They have seven wins, nine draws, and ten defeats to their name. While they have been inconsistent throughout the campaign, the newly-promoted outfit will be pleased to see that they are six points clear of the drop zone.
Survival is their ultimate goal, and they certainly have done a great job so far. Hamburg are heading into this fixture on the back of a win over Wolfsburg and a draw against FC Koln. They will certainly fancy their chances against Dortmund, even though they are underdogs. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Borussia Dortmund
Daniel Svensson’s availability is in doubt after he was forced off last time out. However, the home team are otherwise in great shape as Emre Can (knee) is the only one out injured.
Borussia Dortmund will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, where Gregor Kobel will be an automatic pick in goal. The back three will be made up of Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini. The trio will look for a clean sheet, and they will receive significant support from Yan Couto and Julian Ryerson, who will take charge as the wing-backs
As for the midfield unit, Felix Nmecha will start alongside Marcel Sabitzer in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game. Meanwhile, Serhou Guirassy will continue to lead the line for Borussia Dortmund, while Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier should take charge as the two attacking midfielders behind him.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Couto, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Ryerson; Beier, Brandt; Guirassy
Hamburger SV
The visitors will be without the services of Nicolas Capaldo because of abdominal pain. Apart from him, everyone else should be available for selection.
Hamburger SV will line up in a 3-5-2 formation, where Daniel Heuer Fernandes will be in goal. In the heart of the defence, the highly sought-after Luka Vuskovic will start alongside Warmed Omari and Jordan Torunarigha.
William Mikelbrencis and Miro Muheim should be the wing-backs, while Fabio Vieira will line up alongside Nicolai Remberg and Albert Sambi Lokonga in the centre of the park. They will look to ensure the Borussia Dortmund midfielders do not dominate proceedings. In the final third, Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer will partner with attacking sensation, Damion Downs.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Fernandes; Omari, Vuskovic, Torunarigha; Mikelbrencis, Vieira, Remberg, Lokonga, Muheim; Downs, Konigsdorffer
Key Stats
- Borussia Dortmund have found the back of the net at least twice in eight out of their last nine games.
- Ten out of the total 26 goals that Borussia Dortmund have conceded this season have come in their last seven league outings.
- Borussia Dortmund’s only Bundesliga defeat at Signal Iduna Park came against Bayern Munich last month.
- Hamburger SV have only scored 29 league goals this term; only two other clubs have a poorer record.
- The visitors secured a point in the reverse fixture, which will certainly give them a lot of confidence heading into this one.
Player to Watch
Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy will once again be the focal point of Borussia Dortmund’s attack, and all eyes will be on him to deliver in this crucial fixture. The striker has enjoyed a strong campaign, registering 17 goals and six assists in 38 appearances across competitions, underlining his importance to the team’s attacking setup.
However, the 28-year-old has only managed one goal in his last four league outings after a blistering run of five goals in three games. As a result, Guirassy will be eager to get back among the goals and play a decisive role in helping Dortmund secure another important victory.
Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Hamburger SV
Borussia Dortmund will head into this fixture full of confidence as they look to secure a third straight league win and further cement their place in the top four. With their attacking unit clicking and a strong record at Signal Iduna Park, the team in black and yellow will be expected to dominate possession and create the better chances.
Hamburger SV, on the other hand, will look to stay compact and frustrate the hosts while trying to make the most of their opportunities on the counter. While they have shown resilience in recent weeks, the quality gap between the two sides is quite significant.
If Borussia Dortmund maintain their intensity, they should have enough to secure a comfortable win over Hamburger SV at home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Niko Kovac and his charges.
