Hamburg SV vs Borussia Monchengladbach – News and Probable Lineups

On Friday, Volksparkstadion will host a crucial early-season fixture in the Bundesliga’s relegation struggle, as Hamburgo SV faces Borussia Monchengladbach.

HSV currently sits in 16th position, accumulating just nine points over eight matches, although their situation is not as critical as that of their opponents, who are languishing at the bottom in 18th place with only four points.

Match overview

Hamburgo need not panic about their current standing, since only two points separate them from the eighth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, but they have suffered important defeats against their rivals in recent weeks.

In their last two Bundesliga matches, the hosts incurred losses of 1-0 and 3-1 against Paderborn and Frankfurt, respectively, with the latter game occurring on November 1.

Sandwiched between those two results was a 3-1 defeat to Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal, but it is worth noting that they had secured victories in their previous three fixtures, all within the league.

Coach Merlin Polzin will be worried that only one team has conceded more goals in the Bundesliga this season (19), while his squad has managed to score only two goals in their last three league games.

HSV’s home form has been commendable, as they have achieved two wins out of three encounters at Volksparkstadion in the top flight this season, and securing a victory on Friday would mark their third consecutive triumph in league play at home.

While Gladbach finds itself at the bottom of the standings, they have recently gained four points from the last six available, highlighted by a 3-2 win against Stuttgart on October 23.

Die Fohlen are unavoidably the poorest defensive outfit in the league, having conceded 22 goals across just eight matches, although their goalless draw with Paderborn on October 31 may indicate a slight improvement.

Head coach Alexander Blessin has received significant praise for his tenure at St Pauli, particularly during the 2024-25 season when his team concluded the season having allowed the second fewest goals (41).

Gladbach’s recent record against their hosts is not favorable, with just one win from their last five meetings with HSV, alongside two losses and no victories in their last three head-to-heads with Hamburgo.

A win for Gladbach would mark their second successive away victory after their triumph over Stuttgart, although they faced defeats in their initial three away Bundesliga matches.

Team News

Hamburgo still faces various injury issues, including center-backs Sebastiaan Bornauw (jaw) and Nicolas Capaldo (muscle), while forward Yussuf Poulsen’s hip problem likely keeps him out of action.

It remains to be seen if Albert Gronbaek can spearhead the attack and find the net for the first time this Bundesliga season, needing support from midfielders Albert Sambi Lokonga, Miro Muheim, and Martin Adeline.

In defense, expect a three-man block comprising Shafiq Nandja, Jordan Torunarigha, and Warmed Omari.

On the other hand, Gladbach travels to this fixture without the likes of Hugo Bolin (muscle), Franck Honorat (muscle), and Tim Kleindienst, leaving their attacking options looking sparse.

Isac Lidberg may be trusted to lead as the team’s number nine, while Robin Hack and Wael Mohya could take supportive roles.

Hamburgo SV probable starting XI:

Fernandes; Omari, Nandja, Torunarigha; El Ouahdi, Adeline, Lokonga, Muheim, Wolfe; Moffi, Gronbaek

Borussia Monchengladbach probable starting XI:

Batz; Itakura, Sander, Chiarodia; Scally, Uno, Neuhaus, Ullrich; Mohya, Hack; Lidberg

Gladbach has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, and Blessin will be optimistic that his squad can maintain this upward momentum.

Hamburgo’s recent performances have been underwhelming, but considering their strong home displays this season, they are bound to present a challenge on Friday.