Vieira in line for starting debut: how HSV could face Köln | OneFootball

It’s about vital points: On matchday 4 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, HSV host 1. FC Köln at the Volksparkstadion.

In front of their own fans, the Hanseatic side want — and need — to pick up their first points of the season before heading into a three-week international break. The aim is to put the two 0–5 thrashings of recent weeks out of their minds and start from scratch again against Köln.

In terms of personnel, however, there is unlikely to be too much change. Between the posts, Merlin Polzin is expected to stick with Daniel Heuer Fernandes as usual. In the continued absence of injured new signing Sebastiaan Bornauw, Nicolas Capaldo, Jordan Torunarigha, and Warmed Omari are all but certain to form the back three. Youngster Shafiq Nandja would likely return to the bench after making his first start in Leipzig.

On the flanks, much will once again depend on Zakaria El Ouahdi and David Möller Wolfe. Despite HSV’s difficult start, both deadline-day signings are currently secure in the starting lineup. That is also because Miro Muheim is only just working his way back after persistent injury problems. Against Köln, at least a place in the squad should be within reach again.

Photo: IMAGO

HSV: Will Polzin unleash Vieira?

No changes seem to be on the way in central midfield either. Captain Nicolai Remberg and Sambi Lokonga are clearly ahead of Bilal Nadir and Kofi Amoako in the pecking order. Their own poor form has done little to change that. The situation is more intriguing in the attacking half-spaces, though. Alongside Albert Grønbaek, HSV fans are eagerly hoping for the first start of returning Fabio Vieira. And even though Polzin has not committed himself so far, this weekend should be the moment.

A final decision at center-forward is also still pending. On paper, Patson Daka, Terem Moffi, and Yussuf Poulsen provide plenty of options. Injury-prone Poulsen already started in Leipzig and could rotate back to the bench against Köln. The catch: Moffi, too, is still not at 100 percent after his late arrival from Nice. Even so, Polzin rates him highly, which is why he could be in line for his second straight start.

The expected HSV lineup: Heuer Fernandes, El Ouahdi, Capaldo, Torunarigha, Omari, Möller Wolfe, Remberg, Lokonga, Vieira, Grønbaek, Moffi

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.