Saturday, January 21, 2012

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22.01. (Sun) 15:30 Hamburger SV - Borussia D.


PROBABLE LINEUPS

HAMBURG


Drobny
Diekmeier, Bruma, Westermann, Aogo
Ilicevic, Rincon, Tesche, Jansen
Petric, Guerrero

BORUSSIA DORTMUND


Langerak
Piszczek, Subotic, Santana, Schmelzer
Bender, Kehl
Kuba, Kagawa, Grosskreutz
Lewandowski

Thorsten Fink will have a nearly full-strength squad at his disposal with the exceptions of Marcus Berg and Gokhan Tore, who are recuperating from injuries. Heung Min-Son is in with a chance to displace Mladen Petric from the starting XI as it is yet unclear who will partner Jose Paolo Guerrero in attack.

Mario Gotze is the big absentee for Dortmund, and Kuba is expected to deputise for the injured Germany international. First-choice goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller is also sidelined, meaning one of Mitchell Langerak and Johannes Focher will start for the Bundesliga champions.

Neven Subotic is expected to return to the starting XI, displacing Felipe Santana, while Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack.
DID YOU KNOW
  • Hamburg are unbeaten in nine games, winning three and drawing six matches.
  • Thorsten Fink is a native of Dortmund, and spent six years playing for BVB's youth side.
  • HSV's Paolo Guerrero has scored in each of the team's last four home matches.
  • Borussia Dortmund are undefeated in their last six games against Hamburg.
  • BVB and HSV have collectively scored 313 goals in meetings between the two teams, which is a league record.
  • Dortmund are on the longest active unbeaten streak in the league as they have not tasted defeat in 11 games.
Prediction
This tie promises goals and it is unlikely to disappoint. Hamburg have gradually improved under Thorsten Fink, and one can see them snatching a draw. Roman Weidenfeller is out of the game for the German champions, so HSV would fancy their chances to test an inexperienced deputy. BVB are missing a key player in Mario Gotze, and his absence is likely to be felt.
Editor's Prediction
HSV 2-2 Dortmund