- © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA
- © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA

Leverkusen welcome HSV with European hopes on the line

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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are looking to get their tilt at a UEFA Champions League place back on track at home to Hamburger SV on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 15:30CET/14:30GMT) after falling off the pace over the last few games.

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Personnel woes have hampered their efforts to push for a top-four finish, with numerous first-team regulars, including Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Stefan Kießling, Kevin Kampl and Ömer Toprak, either injured or suspended recently. And after staging an astonishing fightback to go from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 away to FC Augsburg last weekend, the hosts will be in buoyant mood ahead of this fixture.

Watch: Augsburg 3-3 Leverkusen - Matchday 25 highlights

Nevertheless, Leverkusen will need to be on their guard against a spirited Hamburg side that defeated third-placed Hertha Berlin last time out. Sitting in tenth place, HSV's status as the Bundesliga's only ever-present club looks secure for another year, having strayed dangerously close to relegation in recent seasons.

Watch: Hamburg 2-0 Hertha - Matchday 25 highlights

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