Hamburg and Köln reach key junction of their season
The seasons of Hamburger SV and 1. FC Köln reach a junction this Sunday when they meet at the Volksparkstadion (kick-off 15.30CET/14.30GMT).
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Hamburg find themselves three points behind their guests, who are still in the hunt for a place in Europe next season, but the Red Shorts remain the same distance from the relegation play-off position, which is currently occupied by northern Germany rivals SV Werder Bremen.
Köln, meanwhile, head north knowing a win could see them close in on their local rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach and the top six, although a few nervous glances over the shoulder would have to be thrown in the case of defeat.
History
Matchday 3 rewind: Köln 2-1 Hamburg
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Match facts
- Hamburg have picked up just one point from their last five Bundesliga matches, while they have lost their last three home matches.There have been only two longer such series in HSV's history: in 1997 they lost five in a row at home, while two years ago they were beaten in four consecutive home fixtures.Köln have lost just one of their last five Bundesliga meetings with HSV.Köln have won their last two meetings with Hamburg, but they have never before completed a hat-trick of consecutive wins over the northern Germany club.Lewis Holtby has scored more against Köln (four) than against any other Bundesliga club.Marcel Risse has scored a third of his nine Bundesliga goals against Hamburg, including his one and only Bundesliga brace on his last visit to the Volksparkstadion.Anthony Modeste has scored 12 goals so far this season – exactly half of his side's total tally.
Possible line-ups
Hamburg: Adler - Diekmeier, Djourou, Cleber, Ostrzolek - Kacar, Holtby - Drmic, Hunt, Ilicevic - Lasogga
Absentees: Ekdal (ankle), Spahic (groin)
Köln:Horn - Risse, Maroh, Heintz, Mladenovic - Vogt, Hector - Zoller, Gerhardt, Bittencourt - Modeste
Absentees: Lehmann (suspended)
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