Dynamo Dresden - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to pick up three points at Dresden

TEAM NEWS

New Dresden coach Maik Walpurgis has to find replacements for the injured Tim Boss, Soren Gonther, Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas. 

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at DDV Arena, with only long-term absentees Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos on their injury list.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Boss (pulled muscle), Soren Gonther (knee), Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee);

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

New coach Maik Walpurgis started life at Dresden in style as his men secured their second league win of the season, beating Jahn Regensburg 2-0 away at Continental Arena. The team had lost their two previous league matches, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat away at Bielefeld and a 3-1 home loss against Heidenheim. However. despite claiming a much-needed win, Dresden still experienced problems against Regensburg last Friday and allowed their opponents to create a lot attempts on goal. It was pure luck that they returned home with a clean sheet. Walpurgis has his work cut out and will look to improve their form and stability. 

Hamburg have responded well after a poor season opener. Following their 3-0 home loss against Holstein Kiel in round one, Christian Titz’s side have hit back with three victories in a row, scoring three goals in each of those league matches as they have claimed 3-0 victories against Sandhausen and Bielefeld as well as a 3-2 win over Heidenheim. The clinical manner in which Pierre-Michel Lasogga scored all three goals in their most recent league outing against Heidenheim on Saturday after coming on as a 46^th minute substitute did perhaps indicate that he has developed into a player who is ready to grab his chance this time around. He also played an essential role in their win against Bielefeld where he scored a brace. 

Hamburg are one of the prime candidates for promotion this season and I think they will keep rolling. I'm going with an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Hamburg have scored nine goals in their last three league matches while Dresden have so far always hit the back of the net in their four league games. A high-scoring affair with a minimum of three total goals in on the cards.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden and Hamburg have not met competitively for over 20 years. Their last league encounter dates back to 1994-95 when both teams were still in the top flight. Hamburg won their home league fixture 2-1 that season and drew 1-1 away.