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In what could be one of the most pivotal battles in the race for Bundesliga survival, Hamburger SV will welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to Volksparkstadion on Friday.
The hosts are fourth last in 15th place with nine points, and while they are at risk of relegation, they are already five points ahead of 18th-placed Gladbach.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Monchengladbach key stats
- Hamburger SV have scored one or fewer goals in seven of their last nine games.
- Borussia Monchengladbach have now scored two or more goals in two of their last three matches.
- Gladbach forward Hugo Bolin has produced the most xG in the squad in the Bundesliga this season (2.2).
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Monchengladbach preview: A relegation decider?
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Monchengladbach — Tale of the Tape
| Hamburger SV | vs | Borussia Monchengladbach |
|---|---|---|
| 15th | Position | 18th |
| 9 | Points | 4 |
| 7 | Goals For | 11 |
| 19 | Goals Against | 22 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 14th | Home / Away Rank | 15th |
It is far too early to suggest that HSV will be condemned to a relegation battle, especially as only two points separate them from eighth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, after losing two consecutive Bundesliga games, the latest of which was a 3-1 defeat against Frankfurt on November 1, another loss against a potential demotion rival could be damaging.
Head coach Merlin Polzin will hope to extend his side's unbeaten streak against Borussia Monchengladbach to four games, with the hosts having drawn two and won one of their last three meetings with the away side.
Hamburger may have to rely on Albert Gronbaek to lead the line if striker Yussuf Poulsen is kept on the sidelines due to a hip issue.
The visitors come into Friday's match on the back of a goalless stalemate with Paderborn on October 31, a result that followed a 3-2 success against Stuttgart on October 23.
Gladbach are not yet cut adrift, but a five-point gap to the hosts is a significant margin that they cannot afford to let grow, and they are already three points from 16th-placed Union Berlin, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
There is hope that boss Alexander Blessin can turn the team's fortunes around, though his side face difficult tests against Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen in two of their next three top-flight fixtures following Friday's match.
Gladbach know they will be without attackers Hugo Bolin, Franck Honorat and Tim Kleindienst, leaving the likes of Isac Lidberg, Robin Hack and Wael Mohya as some of the only options left in the forward line.
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Monchengladbach form guide & betting tips
| Hamburger SV | vs | Borussia Monchengladbach |
|---|---|---|
WWWLL |
Form | LLLWD |
| 9 | Points | 4 |
| 5th | Form Table | 16th |
| 7 | Goals For | 8 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 10 |
WWLLL |
Form (All Comps) | LLWWD |
Whispers predicts: Hamburger SV 1-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
While the bookmakers favour a home victory at 29/20 (2.45), a Gladbach win should not be discounted at 7/4 (2.75).
It may make sense to back Under 1.5 Goals for Hamburger SV at 8/11 (1.73) given Hamburger SV have scored one or fewer goals in seven of their last nine games.
The visitors have now scored two or more goals in two of their last three matches, so it could be worthwhile to bet Over 1.5 Goals for Borussia Monchengladbach at 11/10 (2.1).
Gladbach forward Hugo Bolin has produced the most expected goals in the squad this season in the Bundesliga (2.2), and his threat in front of goal could make a prediction of Hugo Bolin to Score at 3/1 (4) the way to go.
> Under 1.5 Goals for Hamburger at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: High
> Over 1.5 Goals for Borussia Monchengladbach at 11/10 (2.1) | Likelihood: Medium
> Hugo Bolin to Score at 3/1 (4) | Likelihood: Low