We’ve got a huge game in store at the top of the German second tier on Sunday as league-leaders Arminia Bielefeld travel to Volksparkstadion to face second-place Hamburg.
With only eight games remaining in 2019/20, Bielefeld currently sit seven points clear at the top of the table. A win over their promotion rivals would all but secure them a spot in the Bundesliga next season.
However, victory for Hamburg would close the gap to just four points. With so much at stake, this is set to be a fiercely contested encounter.
Hamburg returned to action with a 2-2 draw against Greuther Furth last weekend. The visitors came from behind to lead thanks for goals from Pohjanpalo and Dudziak, only for Nielsen to snatch a late equaliser for Greuther.
Dieter Hecking’s side have been formidable at home this season, so they’ll be eager to return to Volksparkstadion. Hamburg only have suffered two defeats in 12 home games this term.
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Having said that, Bielefeld are the division’s away-day specialists. The table-toppers have lost just one of their 13 league games on the road this season.
Uwe Neuhaus’ men were held to a 1-1 draw by VfL Osnabruck last weekend – extending their unbeaten run to seven games in 2. Bundesliga.
In fact, Bielefeld have only lost one of their previous 18 leagues games and have racked up a whopping ten victories during that period.
Star striker and captain Fabian Klos returned with a goal last time out – taking his overall tally to 17 in 25 league appearances this term. With eight assists also to his name, Klos is a serious threat.
When Bielefeld hosted Hamburg in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw. With eight draws in their previous 12 meetings, another tight game is expected this time around.
Goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck, along with defensive trio Gideon Jung, Jan Gyamerah, and Ewerton, are all injury doubts for Hamburg this weekend.
As for Bielefeld, Nils Quaschner remains a long-term absentee, but Joan Simun Edmendsson and Sebastian Muller are likely to return. Cedric Brunner is free to play following suspension.
Neue Woche, neuer Fokus 🔷#nurderHSV #HSVDSC pic.twitter.com/LwywtzE2Re— Hamburger SV (@HSV) May 18, 2020
Neue Woche, neuer Fokus 🔷#nurderHSV #HSVDSC pic.twitter.com/LwywtzE2Re
With so much at stake, this is set to be a tense affair. Neither side will want to lose this game, so a draw is looking likely.
Forebet predicts that Hamburger and Bielefeld will continue their recent tradition with a 1-1 stalemate.