Erzgebirge Aue - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to remain top with another win

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch is the only injury absentee for Aue while Fabian Kalig is suspended.

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

Aue

Suspended: Fabian Kalig

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Aue started their campaign poorly with just seven points from the first 24 on offer, but they were then beginning to find their feet, sealing wins over Holstein Kiel (2-1) and Bielefeld (1-0) as well as one draw against Dresden (1-1), before falling to yet another loss last weekend. Their 1-0 defeat away to Heidenheim was a real kick in the teeth for the Viola, but they do at least still remain in 13^thplace and are five points above the drop zone. However, overall, Aue have struggled so far this season with six of their 12 league encounters ending in defeat, along with four wins and two draws. 

Hannes Wolf‘s first two league matches in charge at Hamburg have ended in two 1-0 wins -  against Magdeburg away from home in round 11 and at home against then-leaders Cologne last week. The latest victory, their seventh this season, enabled Hamburg to leapfrog their opponents in the table and they are now leading the division with 24 points to their name. Overall, the team are unbeaten in six, winning three and drawing three. 

Hamburg will be desperate to extend their winning spree and I fully expect them to do so.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HAMBURG

Hamburg have scored the opening goal in each of their four away league matches. I’ll be backing them to net the opener this weekend too.

HEAD TO HEAD

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