Hamburger SV Aims for Upset Against Borussia Dortmund

On Saturday afternoon, Hamburger SV will strive to secure an upset against Borussia Dortmund, seeking a much-needed victory following three consecutive losses.

They face a revitalized Niko Kovač-led team, which appears to have rectified the issues that plagued them in the previous season. A win for BVB could elevate them to second place in the table, contingent on RB Leipzig’s performance against TSG Hoffenheim.

HSV is reeling from a heavy 4-1 defeat last weekend to FC Köln, another newly promoted side. Scoring goals has been a significant challenge for HSV this season, as they share the title of the Bundesliga’s least prolific team, having netted only eight goals, along with FC Heidenheim. In contrast, Dortmund boasts six clean sheets from nine matches, a record only matched by Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, HSV has conceded 15 goals in nine games, which further exacerbates their struggles, as they average less than one goal per match.

Notably, Arsenal loanee Fábio Vieira will miss the match against BVB due to a red card received in last week’s defeat, marking his second dismissal of the season. This situation raises concerns about the 25-year-old’s ability to manage his aggression in high-pressure situations.

Head coach Merlin Polzin, who utilized a 4-3-3 formation last weekend, might opt for a slight adjustment in light of their formidable opponent. HSV could adopt a 5-3-2 or 3-4-3 setup with wingbacks, reminiscent of their earlier match against Bayern Munich, despite suffering a 5-0 defeat. If they can hold off Dortmund longer than they did against Bayern, this strategy might yield better results.

Dortmund can secure their third consecutive Bundesliga win with a victory at the Volksparkstadion. After a disappointing 4-1 loss to Manchester City in midweek, Kovač’s team will aim to reassert themselves. In a match where they are expected to dominate, Dortmund will be confident in their ability to dictate the game.

For Kovač, this match holds personal significance as he returns to a familiar setting in Hamburg, where he made 55 Bundesliga appearances for the club between 1999 and 2001.

From an injury standpoint, there are no new concerns for Dortmund following their midweek encounter. Emre Can returned from a 173-day absence during the defeat, and while it may be premature for him to start, he is likely to appear from the bench.

Dortmund may implement a few changes from their previous lineup, potentially resting Marcel Sabitzer and Maximilian Beier, depending on the tactical formation chosen.

Historically, this fixture does not bode well for HSV supporters. Their last triumph against Dortmund was on November 20, 2015, when they won 3-1 at home. Since then, BVB has triumphed in the subsequent five meetings, with an aggregate score of 16-2.