Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Borussia Dortmund began their season in the DFL-Supercup week but their Bundesliga campaign gets underway against Hamburg at the Westfalenstadion.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – ESPN+
Borussia Dortmund preview: Going again
Borussia Dortmund have retained the services of former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac. Kovac has done an excellent job in charge of the Yellow-Blacks but finding some of extra cutting edge and effectiveness in the biggest games is crucial and still on the 'to do' list.
Over the summer, Dortmund have surprisingly retained Emre Can after it looked as though he would depart at the end of his contract. They have spent fairly heavily on Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg and young Greece internationals Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias.
They began their season with a frustrating 2-1 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup last weekend.
Hamburg preview: Avoiding second season syndrome
Having finally returned to the top-flight after far too long away in the 2024-25 campaign, Hamburg managed to establish themselves tightly in the middle-of-the-table - but expectations haven't been raised over the summer.
Merlin Polzin remains in charge of Hamburg and that, generally, is a positive. They have only been able to add a few new signings, though, with their standout additions behind the free transfers of Bilal Nadir and Patson Daka from Olympique de Marseille and Leicester City, respectively.
Borussia Dortmund team news: A few issues
Ramy Bensebaini suffered a rib injury against Bayern Munich and so is now a doubt for this one alongside Carney Chukwuemeka, with experienced duo Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can confirmed absentees.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Anton, Gadou, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Konstantelias, Svensson; Sabitzer, Nmecha; Beier
Unavailable: Schlotterbeck (Injured), Can (Injured), Kaba (Injured)
Questionable: Bensebaini (Injured), Chukwuemeka (Injured)
Hamburg team news: Several injuries
Hamburg are dealing with several injury issues for this weekend as Warmed Omari and Alexander Rossing-Lelesiit are sidelined, while defensive duo Jordan Torunarigha and Miro Muheim are doubts, too.
Predicted XI (3-5-1-1): Tangvik; Bornauw, Lemke, Amoako; Gronbaek, Sambi Lokonga, Capaldo, Remberg, Poulsen; Nadir; Moffi
Unavailable: Omari (Injured), Rossing-Lelesiit (Injured)
Questionable: Torunarigha (Injured), Muheim (Injured)
Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg prediction
Hamburg were able to be competitive throughout the campaign last season. They did fade away when safety was all but assured towards the back end of the campaign. The visitors will expect to give Dortmund a bit of a game here but this does represent an excellent opportunity for the hosts to come out on top in a potentially entertaining encounter on the opening day of the season.
Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg tip: Borussia Dortmund to win & over 2.5 goals
