Hamburger SV - Union Berlin

Leaders to stop Union Berlin’s unbeaten run with home win

TEAM NEWS

Hamburg's long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos continue to be absent while Matti Steinmann has adductor problems and has been ruled out. Striker Hwang Hee chan is also out with a pulled muscle.

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon and Felix Kroos.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee); Matti Steinmann (adductor), Hwang Hee chan (pulled muscle)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Felix Kroos (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hamburg are one of the in-form teams in the league at present, having won four and drawn two of their last six league matches. The side registered three straight win before the international break, seeing off Magdeburg 1-0, Cologne 1-0 and Aue 3-1. Their outstanding form has lifted them into the leading position of Germany's second tier with a three-point lead over second placed Cologne.

Union Berlin extended their unbeaten run to 13 league games with an easy 4-0 home victory over Greuther Furth two weeks ago. Urs Fischer’s team are certainly the draw specialists in Germany’s second tier with eight such results to their name, as well as five wins and no defeat. Their strong performances so far this season see the team occupy third place with 23 points, and they are trailing leaders Hamburg by only four points.

Hamburg have won three in a row with coach Hannes Wolf in the dugout, conceding only a single goal in the process and taking the top position in the second division. Although Union Berlin will be heading to Hamburg in fine fettle, I can see the hosts edging another win on their own turf here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Surprisingly, Hamburg and Union Berlin are among the lowest scorers in the division. The hosts have scored only 17 goals so far while the visitors have netted 19 in 13 league matches, with only four other sides notching fewer. Back this to be a low-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD

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