Our next opponents: Hamburg trying to buck the trend

Position

HSV fought to the best of their ability in the last outing away to Borussia Dortmund but BVB were too strong  in the end. In spite of a decent performance, Hamburg ended up losing 2-0 – the first defeat in three games for Bernd Hollerbach (pictured above) following two draws. The former, vastly experienced Bundesliga pro  (223 games for Kaiserslautern and HSV) took over the helm from Markus Gisdol at the end of January on the back of four defeats on the bounce that saw HSV slip to seventeenth in the table. Hamburg are still in the same position in spite of recent improved performances under Hollerbach. The founding members of the Bundesliga have 17 points, three behind the play-off spot of sixteenth. The 'Red Shorts' are looking to end a run of nine games without a win against the Werkself. The most recent HSV victory was a 3-0 win against Hoffenheim back in November 2017.

Personnel

Hollerbach has changed the formation since taking over as coach. In contrast to a back four under Gisdol, Hamburg now play with three at the back that changes to five when the opposing team have the ball. The new coach has opted to return to playing Christian Mathenia in goal after Gisdol preferred Julian Pollersbeck as his first-choice keeper. Filip Kostic, Hamburg's most dangerous forward at the moment, was moved from the left flank into the central striker role to strengthen an often ineffective forward line. In addition to Kostic, two other players have given HSV fans more hope in front of goal – although the duo are not able to lend their full support at the moemnt. Youngster Jann-Fiete Arp, who has demonstrated his enormous potential several times this term, is currently wrapped in preparing for his A-Levels, which means he has missed several training sessions and therefore has come off the bench in recent matches. Nicolai Müller, Hamburg's most consistent striker last term, is still sidelined after tearing his cruciate on matchday one. On the plus side, the pacey winger returned to full training this week. Although the injury list is not too long at the moment, Hollerbach called up the 19-year-old Stephan Ambrosius to the first team for the Dortmund game. The central defender, normally in the HSV second team, was in the Bundesliga squad for the first time in his career. "The lad's really impressed me as he likes to get stuck in," declared Hollerbach, who was an uncompromising defender when he played.

ProblemS

The change in formation under Hollerbach has brought greater stability to the HSV defence. In attack, in contrast, there is still room for improvement. The 17 goals scored represents the lowest total in the Bundesliga. There is a definite lack of firepower in attack. Kostic, Hamburg's top goalscorer with four goals, is primarily a winger; the 18-year-old Arp (two goals to date) is still being nurtured. The established  main striker Bobby Wood has not scored since August, Luca Waldschmidt, last-minute saviour last season, and Sven Schipplock have failed to find the back of the net at all in the current campaign. Those stats reveal the big deficiency for HSV.  Hamburg often only pose a threat from set pieces or individual moves from the quick Kostic. This is an area that definitely demands immediate attention from Hollerbach.

PotenTial

After years of relegation battles,  hiring and firing of coaches and chaos at the top of the club, HSV have lost much of their former allure. And now they are in danger of losing their unique claim to fame in Germany's top flight: unbroken membership of the Bundesliga first division. However, if the reset button is successfully activated, regardless of it being division 1 or 2, HSV have everything required to rediscover their former strengths: an attractive venue, a large and well-built stadium and one of Germany's most talented youngsters in Arp.

Prediction

For HSV – as so often in recent years – and probably in this season too, it will be  a case of fighting against relegation right to the end. Given the points total and the winless run, it will not be an easy endeavour – but also not mission impossible. Since the change of coaches, there has been an upturn in performance levels and HSV have proved often enough in past seasons that you write them off at your peril – even if it goes to the final minute of the play-off second leg.