Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. Hamburger SV preview: Hosts aim for top-five finish | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen will host HSV in the final matchday of Bundesliga on Saturday. The hosts could still qualify for the Champions League, but both Stuttgart (vs. Eintracht Frankfurt) and Hoffenheim (vs. Gladbach) have to lose for that to happen. Merlin Polzin’s side could finish in tenth in HSV’s first Bundesliga campaign since 2017/18.

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen lost what could be considered a playoff game for the Champions League last week in Stuttgart. Despite scoring inside the first minute, Die Werkself were unable to stop Ermedin Demirovic and Deniz Undav’s striking force.

The result also mounted the pressure on Kasper Hjulmand. For a club that fired Erik ten Hag after a couple of matches, it’ll not be a surprise if they decide to go with a different man for next season. Rumors are circulating that they are already looking for the next coach as the Dane is expected to get the sack after this game.

Team News

There is still one year left on his contract, but Alejandro Grimaldo could leave Leverkusen at the end of the season after a remarkable three-year spell. If that’s the case, this will be the last Bundesliga game for the set-piece specialist.

There are no new injuries in the squad, but Hjulmand could give some fringe players minutes if Stuttgart and/or Hoffenheim end Leverkusen’s Champions League dream.

HSV

The coaching situation is very different for the visitors. Polzin will most likely stay at the club beyond this summer as the club appreciated his debut Bundesliga campaign. It’s also the first season in Germany’s top-flight league for the traditional club in seven years.

HSV won back-to-back games against European hopefuls Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt to climb to 11th in the standings. Depending on the results on the final matchday, they could finish anywhere between 10th and 13th on their long-awaited return.

Team News

Last week’s scenes at Volksparkstadion suggest Luka Vušković and Fábio Vieira are not going to be at the club beyond this game. Meanwhile, Nicolas Copaldo faces a race against time to return to full fitness after missing training sessions throughout the week. Miro Muheim will return to the squad after missing the last three games due to injury.

Head-to-Head

In a rescheduled fixture due to adverse weather conditions, Leverkusen beat HSV in the reverse fixture courtesy of Christian Kofane’s late strike. Kevin Volland, who is currently plying his trade at 3. Liga club 1860 Munich, scored twice for a 3-0 Leverkusen victory when HSV last visited BayArena.

Predicted Lineups

Leverkusen: Flekken; Quansah, Andrich ©, Tapsoba; Culbreath, Aleix Garcia, Palacios, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick

HSV: Heuer Fernandes; Omari, Vuskovic, Torunarigha; Jatta, Remberg ©, Lokonga, Grönbaek; Fabio Vieira; Königsdörffer, Stange