Hamburger SV Seeks Upset Against Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga Clash

On Saturday afternoon, Hamburger SV will aim to secure an upset against Borussia Dortmund, hoping to achieve a much-needed victory after suffering three consecutive defeats.

Their opponents, a significantly improved Niko Kovač-led side, appear to have learned from last season’s turbulent performance. A win for BVB could elevate them to second place in the table, depending on RB Leipzig’s results against TSG Hoffenheim.

HSV recently experienced a heavy 4-1 loss to fellow newcomers, FC Köln. This season, scoring and conceding goals has been a major challenge for HSV, with the team currently tied for the fewest goals scored in the Bundesliga (8 goals), alongside FC Heidenheim. In contrast, they are up against a Dortmund squad that boasts six clean sheets from nine matches—only Bayern Munich can match this defensive record. HSV’s defense has conceded 15 goals in 9 games, which is not the league’s worst but is concerning, especially as they average less than a goal per game.

Fábio Vieira, on loan from Arsenal, will miss the clash against BVB due to a red card received in last week’s defeat. This marks the second red card of the season for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder, raising concerns about his ability to manage aggression in high-stakes matches.

While Polzin opted for a 4-3-3 formation recently, he may consider adjusting his strategy in light of the formidable opponent. HSV might adopt a 5-3-2 or 3-4-3 setup, similar to their approach against Bayern Munich earlier this season. Although they lost that match 5-0, the tactical framework might be effective if they can contain BVB more effectively than they managed to against Bayern.

On the other hand, Dortmund is seeking to achieve three Bundesliga victories in a row at the Volksparkstadion. Following a disheartening 4-1 loss to Manchester City during the week, Kovač’s team will look to assert their dominance in a match where they are expected to take control.

For head coach Niko Kovač, this match marks a return to familiar territory, having made 55 Bundesliga appearances for HSV between 1999 and 2001.

In terms of team news, there are no new injury concerns arising from the midweek game. Emre Can made his return after a 173-day absence during the recent defeat, although it may be too soon for him to start; he is likely to be included on the bench.

Dortmund may consider a few changes from their midweek lineup, possibly substituting Marcel Sabitzer and even Maximilian Beier, depending on the chosen formation.

Historically, this fixture does not bode well for HSV fans. Their last victory against Dortmund dates back to November 20, 2015, when they triumphed 3-1 at home. Since then, Dortmund has claimed victory in all five encounters, with a dominant aggregate score of 16-2.