Hamburg v Gladbach is a game between two sides that have both lost their usual anchors, and I think the interesting part is what each one has left behind them. HSV are without Vuskovic, Remberg, Vieira and Nadir, but three players (Bornauw, Capaldo, Poulsen) are back in training, so the back line may get patched in time. Gladbach have a veteran stand-in keeper, Daniel Batz, starting for the third time in a row, and no Kleindienst or Kühn up front. So who is more comfortable if the game opens up: a rebuilt HSV defence or a Gladbach side with an unfamiliar keeper?
HSV first. The club's own site confirms Remberg, Vuskovic, Vieira and Nadir out, and dpa reports Capaldo, Bornauw and Poulsen took part in parts of training again. Capaldo is the most uncertain of the three, per 90min. Our records show HSV have lost their last two (1-3 at Frankfurt in the league, 1-3 to the same side in the cup) and conceded 19 in 8 league games, though only 6 of those at home in 3 games. Polzin's stated task is to turn it into a home game through the Volkspark atmosphere.
Gladbach: Blessin, who took over in September, looked ill at the press conference according to Gladbachtotal, and Hashioka is also out. Moritz Nicolas is out with muscle problems, so Batz plays again, per GladbachLive. Their recent results are mixed, with a 3-2 win at Stuttgart, but a 0-0 at home to Paderborn last time out, and 13 goals conceded in 5 away league games, per our standings.
What I'd watch: if Bornauw returns, HSV have a body to hold the line against Gladbach's transitions, but Gladbach's attack is thin without Kühn and Kleindienst. So it may come down to whether HSV can turn their home crowd into early pressure on Batz, or whether Gladbach just sit and let a nervous home side make the mistakes. I don't think a team's recent defeats tell you which of those happens.
Sources: hsv.de, news.de (dpa), Gladbachtotal, GladbachLive, plus our standings and match records.
