Hamburg to start with a clear win
TEAM NEWS
Hamburg have lost several players from last aeason but have signed David Bates from Scottish club Glasgow Rangers, Christoph Moritz from Kaiserslautern, Kairo Samperio from Spain's Las Palmas and Khaled Narey from Greuther Furth. They also have striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga back after his loan to English Championship outfit Leeds. Both Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Gideon Jung will miss the first half of the season with knee injuries while Arianit Ferati is out with a torn ligament.
Holstein Kiel are not expected to be at full strength ahead of this game. The side have lost several key players during the transfer window, including last season's top scorer Marvin Ducksch, midfield motor Dominick Drexler, defender Rafael Czichos, left back Christopher Lenz, Amara Conde and Tom Weilandt, while their new additions are mostly unknown at best, with Hauke Wahl from Ingolstadt, Stefan Thesker from Dutch side Twente, Jae-Song Lee from Jeonbuk in South Korea and Dominik Reimann from Dortmund the most noteworthy.
Hamburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung (both knee); Arianit Ferati (ligaments)
Holstein Kiel
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None
MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Hamburg worked hard to avoid their first relegation from the top flight in the club's history last season but they were helpless in the end despite finishing the campaign with a 2-1 win over Monchengladbach. After 99 years and 1866 matches in 1. Bundesliga they dropped to Germany's second tier, but it was no surprise given their poor campaign with eight wins, seven draws and 19 defeats. Despite their struggles, there is on thing they did well consistently though and that was maintaining their belie in themselves. The side are one of the biggest favourites for promotion besides Cologne with an excellent squad available.
Holstein Kiel were an interesting team last season as they came close to securing promotion to 1. Bundesliga, falling short in the playoff matches against Wolfsburg where they lost 4-1 on aggregate. However, given their recent departures and new arrivals during the transfer window so far, it is unlikely they will be involved in the battle for a top three spot this time again. In fact, on paper, they appear more likely candidates for relegation.
Holstein Kiel had lots of problems during the summer break and I expect that will not have solved it in this game against a side who have nothing else apart from promotion on their mind. Hamburg will count on an almost sold-out stadium to begin life in the second division ad they will push for a first win.
SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HAMBURG
Hamburg scored the first goal against Holstein Kiel in their only ever competitive encounter in the cup 11 years ago. Of course, times have changed but Hamburg are expected to play with an attacking approach in this one and they have had a strong pre-season with five wins and just one defeat in six games, scoring 19 goals in the process. I believe they will be the first team on the scoresheet.
HEAD TO HEAD
This Northern derby takes place for the first time in 2. Bundesliga. The last meeting between these teams took place at Holstein Stadium in the cup in 2007, with Hamburg winning 5-0.
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