Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg preview: Runners up versus top half hopefuls | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund's seven year high points tally wasn't enough to win the Bundesliga last season but they have reinforced this season with a Greek duo of Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias. 

Dortmund also started this season off on a strong foot despite losing 2-1 against Bayern in the super cup as they were a Maximilian Beier golden chance away from making it to extra time.

They have a somewhat busy schedule for this early on in the season as their delayed DFB Pokal game is to be played midweek next week against Hamburg-Eimsbütteler from the fifth tier in which they may rest players.

Despite this, Dortmund have an amazing record against Hamburg as they haven't lost in 11 years against the side from north Germany.

Serhou Guirassy will look to continue where he left off last season as he scored his 17th goal in the Bundesliga on the final matchday to become Dortmund's top scorer in consecutive seasons.

Ahead of the game against Hamburg, BVB coach Niko Kovač said: “We will face a team that remains compact and transitions well. They also have quality up front.”

Team news

Emre Can is out with a knee injury and key defender Nico Schlotterbeck joins him on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Hamburg

Hamburg started their season off with a comfortable 3-0 win against 3. Liga side Verl in the DFB Pokal to kick off their season on a positive note.

Hamburg's new loanee turned permanent this summer Albert Grønbaet scored a brace against Verl to score only his second and third goal for the north German side.

However, Hamburg have failed to win any of their previous seven ties against Borussia Dortmund. 

New summer signing Patson Daka from Leicester will look to fill a hole left by strikers Damion Downs and Davie Selke who both left over the last year. 

Ahead of the away tie against Dortmund, HSV coach Merlin Polzin said: “We need to deliver from the start. Dortmund have structure and have developed into a more variable side.”

Team news

Miro Muheim is out with a muscular injury and Emir Sahiti and Warmed Omari join him. Also, Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit is out with an ankle injury.

Click here to find the predicted lineups for Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger SV