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

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