Bundesliga: Hamburger SV - Borussia Dortmund

By Joachim, bettingexpert.com | Edited 15:44 12.06.2011

It will be a difficult away game for league leaders Borussia Dortmund in Hamburg on matchday 29 of the Bundesliga. Hamburg sit in seventh place, but since firing coach Armin Veh seem to have stepped it up a notch, and will try everything to attempt to cut down the seven point lead that Borussia Dortmund has over their closest rival Leverkusen. It is however Borussia Dortmund's last game of the remaining six that can be classed as "difficult". Should Dortmund be successful in this match they should be all but unstoppable on their way to the title.

Bundesliga | Hamburger SV - Borussia Dortmund

This will be yet another hard-fought match between the two teams.

Dortmund's last match was a bit of a roller-coaster - for a short while they were trailing Hannover by a goal, while Leverkusen seemed likely to win against Kaiserslautern at the same time (and eventually did), which would have meant that the once comfortable lead would have melted down to just four points. But Borussia's response was nothing short of spectacular: Within less than two minutes 18 year old talent Mario Götze scored the equalizer after a brilliant solo run down the middle, and after that all hell broke lose for the Hannover defence, which had to concede three more goals, making it a 1-4 loss against a stunning side. The last 30 minutes of this game were probably the most brilliant Dortmund have been in a season that already seems like a continuous highlight reel. Dortmund will look to carry some of that momentum over to the game in Hamburg, and will probably not change their line-up for the occasion, with the possible exception of Robert Lewandowski - the Polish national was the only player on the pitch not looking good against Hannover, despite improving in the second half. He could possibly be replaced by his fellow countryman Jakub Blaszczykowski in the right wing offensive midfield position. In that case Mario Götze would be the playmaker behind the striker in Dortmund's 4-5-1 formation.

Hamburg has to win this match gainst the league leaders if they still want to qualify for the Europa League. Currently the HSV is four points away, and newly appointed head coach Michael Oenning will probably change the starting line-up in two positions. Another goalless draw like last time out against Hoffenheim won't be an option. David Jarolim and Ruud van Nistelrooy are expected to contribute with their rich experience, and will replace Joris Mathijsen and South Korean Heung-Min Son.

Probable line-ups

Hamburger SV

Rost - Diekmeier, Kacar, Westermann, Aogo - Jarolim, Zé Roberto - Elia, Ben-Hatira - Petric, van Nistelrooy

Missing in action:

Drobny, Mathijsen, Castelen

Borussia Dortmund

Weidenfeller - Piszczek, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer - Sahin, Bender - Götze, Lewandowski, Großkreutz - Barrios

Missing in action:

Kagawa, Kehl, Kringe

Verdict

Both teams have played a total of 87 competetive matches, and neither team has much of a historical advantage. Hamburg has won 31 times, as opposed to Dortmund's 30 victories. Hamburg also won the last four games at home against Borussia Dortmund. It won't be easy for the league leaders, still after this season Borussia enter this match as the favorite. Hamburg however has to win and has a big chance to gain points here, as their two closest rivals Mainz and Hannover play each other and will be taking each other's points. It will be an exciting, close and hard fought match, that has all the necessary ingredients to end up as a draw.

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1-1 FT. I guess we called it. ;)

Joachim

09.04.2011, 17:26 CET

It's a hard game to predict really. I am pretty certain Hamburg won't win it though personally.

Joachim

08.04.2011, 11:21 CET

if this game does end up with a draw then it will be exciting for the Bundesliga that is again "if" Leverkusen wins their game. Dortmund have the firepower but Hamburg have the experience.