FC Magdeburg - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to edge tight game at MDCC Arena

TEAM NEWS

Magdeburg boss Jens Hartel will not be able to count on Rico Preissinger and Joel Abu Hanna.

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength, with only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos continuing to be absent.

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (foot), Joel Abu Hanna (rupture)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Magdeburg are the draw specialists in the league this season. Incredibly, Jens Hartel’s men have drawn six of their ten league matches thus far – but they picked up their third loss of the season last weekend as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat away at Heidenheim. It was a league game they never stood a chance in. Although only five other teams have lost fewer league games, Magdeburg are only one point above the drop zone due to the fact they have won just once so far – a 1-0 victory at strugglers Sandhausen. It will be imperative that they find a way to turn their draws into wins to avoid dropping further down the table. 

Hamburg have won just one of their previous five league matches, along with three draws and one defeat. The side from north Germany clinched a disappointing 0-0 home draw against Bochum last time out, with the result extending a worrying trend of no goal scored in four of their last five league matches. Nevertheless, Hamburg still find themselves in fourth, trailing leaders Cologne by two points, and they have lost only twice so far (five wins, three draws). Away from home, Christian Titz’s men also have the second best record in the league with three wins and one draw in four league games.

Neither of these teams tend to lose often, but given their form on the road, I can see the away team picking up a crucial win. This could be close, but I will back Hamburg to prevail at the MDCC Arena.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HAMBURG

Hamburg have opened the scoring in three of their four away league games while Magdeburg have conceded first in their last two home league matches. Expect Hamburg to score the first goal in this league encounter. 

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in league action.