Hamburg aiming for capital gains in Berlin
Berlin - Two of this season's impressive starters, Hertha Berlin and Hamburger SV, face off at the Olympiastadion on Saturday afternoon (kick-off: 15:30 CEST/13:30 GMT).
History
Top facts
- After three games unbeaten, Hamburg lost 1-0 to FC Schalke 04 on Matchday 7 - a third loss of the campaign.
- Since Bruno Labbadia took over in April, HSV haven't lost back-to-back games.
- Hertha could make it five home games in succession without defeat this weekend. The last time that happened was under Lucien Favre in 2008/09.
- However, this weekend's visitors have won their last two on the road (3-0 in Mönchengladbach and 1-0 in Ingolstadt).
- Hamburg have gone four consecutive games against Hertha without finding the net: only once have die Rothosen gone longer against one team without scoring (q. FC Nürnberg between 1965 and 1967).
- Last weekend in Frankfurt, Vladimir Darida netted Hertha's equaliser in the 82nd minute: half of the 20 goals scored under Pal Dardai have come after the 68th minute.
Possible line-ups
Hertha: Jarstein - Weiser, Stark, Lustenberger, Plattenhardt - Haraguchi, Skjelbred, Darida, Cigerci - Kalou, Ibisevic
Absentees: Ben-Hatira (toe), Kraft (collarbone/ rib), Brooks (ankle), Pekarik (shoulder), Langkamp (ankle), Beerens (calf), Allagui (knee), Ronny, Schieber (both lack of match fitness)
Hamburg: Drobny - Diekmeier, Djourou, Spahic, Ostrzolek - Diaz, Ekdal - N. Müller, Hunt, Ilicevic - Lasogga
Absentees: Hirzel, Götz, P. Müller (all unavailable)