Preview: One more time | OneFootball

The final act of 2025 on Saturday takes Eintracht to Hamburger SV, a club that boasts a great history, a steady showing since promotion, and a veritable fortress in the form of the Volksparkstadion.

Following the important 1-0 win at home to FC Augsburg, Dino Toppmöller’s side travel to Hamburg for their final match of the year on Saturday 20 December. Kick-off at the Volksparkstadion is at 15:30 CET.Eager to sign off with a win

In an interview with EintrachtTV, defender Nnamdi Collins stated: “We’re not just going to go there and see what happens, but with the clear intention of getting three points. We know we’ll do that if we summon everything we have and put in a good week of training. Then we’ll have a relaxing winter break and come back refreshed.”

Long time no see

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs in over seven years. On Matchday 33 of the 2017/18 campaign, Frankfurt beat HSV 3-0 at home, with Hamburg-born Alexander Meier scoring a parting goal in front of the home crowd. A week later, the only founding member of the Bundesliga still yet to be relegated dropped down to the second tier, while the Eagles won the DFB Cup for the first time in 30 years.

“Arrived in the Bundesliga”

Now Hamburg are back in the top flight and currently sit in 14th place with 15 points. “Hamburg have arrived in the Bundesliga and have claimed some important wins in recent weeks,” stressed board member for sport Markus Krösche. “It certainly won’t be an easy game. Nevertheless, our aim is to round off the second half of 2025 with a win there.”

The fact that HSV must shake off a 4-1 defeat at TSG Hoffenheim last weekend is not necessarily an advantage for Eintracht, in the eyes of sporting director Timmo Hardung: “It’s going to be a tough away match, especially after Hamburg took a bit of a beating at Hoffenheim. But that won’t make a difference to us. We have to again try to keep it tight at the back and play with focus in attack, to finish this calendar year with three points.”

Strong at home

That's not the only reason to be wary of HSV, of course. All four of the promoted side’s wins this season have come at the Volksparkstadion, so Eintracht face one final big test of 2025, which they’re determined to pass. “I think we’re in a brilliant position in the Bundesliga, which we’ve worked hard for,” said head coach Dino Toppmöller. “We’re desperate to get the points in the last game before the winter break.”