Bayern Munich vs. Hamburger SV preview: The return of an old classic | OneFootball

Allianz Arena will be electric this Saturday in the highlight game of matchday 3, as Bayern Munich host Hamburger SV in one of German football’s oldest and most storied classics. This fixture isn’t just a test of skill - it’s history, pride, and raw emotion staged under Munich lights.

Bayern vs. HSV is etched in the lore of the Bundesliga. Decades of battles, shifting fortunes. Think of HSV’s glory years - titles, European nights, heroes - and contrast those with Bayern’s era of dominance.

The history is on Bayern's side: The Bavarians have won 74 of the 120 matches between the two sides and haven't lost against HSV since 2009 (!). Looking at the last three matchups, Bayern have won all of them with a combined goal difference of 15-0.

However, both teams haven't faces each other since 2017 - could the luck be on Hamburg's side now? In these encounters, even when the odds heavily favour Bayern, there’s always the chance of a twist - the underdog’s roar, a slip, a moment of magic.

What's at stake for both teams? For Bayern it's clear: They want to keep the momentum going, continue to assert dominance in the Bundesliga and do it without looking ahead too far. With Champions League fixtures on the horizon, FCB headcoach Vincent Kompany has to balance ambition and player welfare. It will be a special game for Kompany: it's the first time he faces the side he used to play for as a coach.

For Hamburg it's a different story: They have waited a long time for regular matchups against Germany's best; for them these matchdays are about redemption and pride, especially against Bayern, who embarassed them in many prior games. If they can contain Bayern’s attack and exploit any fatigue or defensive lapse, they can steal something big. Even a draw would feel like a win in the Allianz Arena.

Looking at the current Bundesliga campaign, Bayern have had a wonderful start to the season: 2 games, 2 wins, 9:2 goals, they sit comfortably in first. Nobody is really expecting them to drop any points in the third game.

Hamburg have ironically conceded as many goals as Bayern in the first two Bundesliga matches: 2. But with one draw and one loss, they find themselves in rank 15. HSV are the only side, besides Gladbach, who are yet to score in the 2025/26 season. Will that change this Saturday?

International break is over - which players are available?

Apart from the longterm injured players Musiala, Davies and Ito, who are expected to return in November, Bayern can count on everybody else. However, since Díaz (Colombia) and Jackson (Senegal) have had to travel a longer distance, they could be rested for this match. One player who will be looking forward to this match is former HSV player Jonathan Tah: he came through HSV's youth system and made 20 senior appearances.

Hamburg will go into this match without Giorgi Gocholeishvili, who received a red card in the derby loss against St. Pauli (0-2). New star signings Luka Vušković, Fábio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga could all feature for the first time in a HSV kit!

Predicted lineups:

FC Bayern (4-2-3-1):

Neuer © - Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanišić - Kimmich, Pavlović - Olise, Gnabry, Díaz - Kane

Hamburger SV (3-4-3):

Heuer Fernandes  - Omari, Vušković, Elfadli - Mikelbrencis, Capaldo ©, Remberg, Muheim - Vieira, Königsdörffer, Røssing-Lelesiit.