Relegation showdown with Köln: HSV put their faith in Downs! | OneFootball

HSV faces 1. FC Köln in the top match of the 26th Bundesliga matchday. We provide you with the line-ups for the duel at the Volksparkstadion.

It's getting serious! In about an hour, the Red Shorts and the Billy Goats will meet in a decisive encounter in the battle for survival in the league. HSV hopes to almost decisively distance themselves from the relegation zone with a win, while Köln aims to shorten their deficit and expand their lead over the relegation spot to at least three points.

The momentum is definitely on the side of the Hanseatic team. In the last six games, the team of Merlin Polzin has earned a strong ten points. For the Rhinelanders, it's only four in the same period. For coach Lukas Kwasniok, Saturday evening is not just about achieving a success but also about his job.

However, HSV does not want to attach too much importance to this situation. "For us, it's about focusing less on the opponent and more on ourselves and our style of play," Polzin explained ahead of the match.

Photo: Getty Images

HSV against Köln: Polzin relies on two strikers

The HSV coach trusts a back three in front of goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes, consisting of Warmed Omari, Luka Vuskovic, and Jordan Torunarigha. Omari moves into the starting lineup for the underperforming Daniel Elfadli in Wolfsburg. The full-back positions are again occupied by William Mikelbrencis and Miro Muheim.

Nur die Raute – All news about HSV

In midfield, the Northerners also rely on proven personnel: Nicolai Remberg and Sambi Lokonga are tasked with working the center, while Fabio Vieira is positioned slightly more offensively to pose a goal threat. The Portuguese will oscillate between the right half-space and the number ten position. Up front, both Ransford Königsdörffer and Damion Downs are set to play.

The line-ups at a glance:

HSV: Heuer Fernandes, Mikelbrencis, Omari, Vuskovic, Torunarigha, Muheim, Remberg, Lokonga, Vieira, Königsdörffer, Downs

Köln: Schwäbe, Krauß, van den Berg, Özkacar, Lund, Johannesson, Martel, Niang, Kaminski, El Mala, Ache

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