Hamburger SV and Mainz 05 Match Preview: Crucial Points at Stake for Both Teams Early in the Season

Hamburger SV has faced the harsh realities of Bundesliga competition after returning to the league after seven years. The team has managed only one point from their initial three matches, including a heavy 5-0 loss against Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, recent weeks have shown signs of improvement. The squad secured their first Bundesliga victory by defeating Heidenheim 2-1 at home, followed by a solid goalless draw against Union Berlin.

In their match in the capital, HSV escaped an early setback when Andrej Ilić missed a penalty. They maintained impressive possession but struggled to convert this into significant scoring opportunities. Additionally, there were challenges with player fitness: standout Fabio Vieira was given a red card late in the match, and defender Warmed Omari sustained an ankle injury, sidelining him until at least 2026.

Coach Polzin’s biggest worry is the attack. Although the team controls possession, they have been ineffective in front of the goal, scoring only two times in five games, with Augsburg demonstrating a worse expected goals (xG) record. Yussuf Poulsen’s absence has been palpable—both for his physical role and leadership in the attack. As he recovers, there are increased expectations for Rayan Philippe and Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer to step up.

At their home ground, HSV is keen to recapture the form that fueled their promotion efforts last season, during which they suffered only two losses in 17 league matches. The recent victory over Heidenheim could rejuvenate their home ground, turning Volksparkstadion back into a stronghold.

Fabio Vieira, who might have been unavailable due to a knee injury, is set to serve a two-match suspension due to his recent red card. Warmed Omari will also not participate due to his injury. However, there is a possibility that Jordan Torunarigha and Yussuf Poulsen could return for the matchday squad after both having trained without issues this week.

Mainz has had a sluggish start to their campaign, with only one victory in five league matches after achieving an impressive sixth-place finish last season. Their recent 2-0 home defeat to Dortmund overshadowed the confidence gained from their earlier win against Augsburg, leaving Coach Henriksen’s squad in search of consistency.

In contrast to their hosts, Mainz is also balancing European commitments. While some perceive this as a potential hindrance, participation in the Conference League has offered a timely boost for morale. On Thursday, they secured a 1-0 victory against Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus through a penalty by Nadiem Amiri, marking only their second clean sheet of the season.

Prior to the upcoming match on Sunday, Henriksen expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete against a formidable opponent, noting, “I’ve observed their recent performances. They play attractive football and emphasize building from the back. Up front, they possess a few very fast players. We aim to perform at our best, but we’re aware this will be a challenging match. Nonetheless, we believe we can deliver a solid performance and secure a win.”

Despite the teams not having faced each other since 2018, Mainz has favorable historical data, with their last defeat to HSV occurring back in May 2015. The 05ers can also take comfort from their recent away form, having achieved three of their four wins this season on the road.

Anthony Caci is sidelined long-term due to a tendon injury. Goalkeeper Robin Zentner is suspended following his red card against Dortmund, and Maxim Leitsch’s availability is uncertain as he recovers from an infection. Dominik Kohr is back in contention after serving his suspension, and Jae-Sung Lee is expected to rejoin the squad after resting midweek.

HSV (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes (GK) – Ramos, Vuskovic, Elfadli – Gocholeishvili, Remberg, Lokonga, Muheim – Philippe, Königsdörffer, Dompé

Mainz (3-4-2-1): Rieß (GK) – da Costa, Hanche-Olsen, Kohr – Widmer, Sano, Amiri, Mwene – J.-S. Lee, Nebel – Sieb