#HSVB04: match facts
In the years leading up to HSV's relegation in 2018, Bayer 04 were highly successful against the Hanseatic outfit, winning four of the last five Bundesliga encounters. On the last visit to the Volksparkstadion, Leon Bailey and Kai Havertz - the latter will return to the BayArena next week with Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16 - clinched a 2-1 victory. Even though that was some time ago, Leverkusen haven't shown any weakness against promoted teams in the recent past: 17 successive matches without defeat is a current club record.
While the Werkself and Hamburg boast the second- and third-best tackle success rates in the Bundesliga, the two teams' defenders also like to regularly get forward. Jarell Quansah has netted in his last two league appearances, taking his tally to three for the season. Only six centre-backs have been more prolific than the Englishman, including teammate Edmond Tapsoba and 19-year-old HSV hotshot Luka Vuskovic (both four).
focus on hamburg
As well as Croatia international Vuskovic, midfield playmaker Fabio Vieira has particularly impressed for the Red Shorts in this campaign. With four goals and four assists, the Portuguese has been directly involved in the most goals for his team. Hamburg were unbeaten in six matches before last weekend's 2-1 loss at home to RB Leipzig. It was unusual as the promoted side have regularly picked up points at the Volksparkstadion thanks to their counter-attacking strength, with five of their six league wins this season coming at home. However, it's also the case that HSV have drawn the most games (eight) along with 1. FSV Mainz 05, which is one of the reasons they're only four points above the relegation play-off place. Coach Merlin Polzin - at 35 the youngest boss in the Bundesliga - is without two key players for this one in the suspended Miro Muheim and the injured vice-captain Nicolas Capaldo. To find out how he might compensate these absences, read our in-depth opponents update.
