Cardiff City will continue their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign with a friendly against German second-tier outfit Hamburger SV on Sunday afternoon.
The Welsh team have played three matches during pre-season, winning their last two, while Hamburg have been victorious in each of their three friendlies this summer.
Match preview
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Hamburg finished fourth in Germany's second tier last season, five points behind third-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf, so the six-time German champions are preparing for another campaign in 2. Bundesliga.
The Red Shorts have already played three times during pre-season, beating Neetze 12-0 before scoring five times in back-to-back fixtures with Drochterrsen/Assel and Lubeck.
Steffen Baumgart's side will again be in action ahead of this match, tackling Nantes on Saturday afternoon, before playing their fifth fixture of the summer against Cardiff one day later.
Hamburg will conclude their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign against Aris Limassol on July 25 before opening their season away to FC Koln on August 2.
HSV have brought in four new faces during the summer market; there have also been four departures, while three players have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
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Cardiff opened their preparations for the new campaign against Kidderminster Harriers on July 10, suffering a 1-0 defeat, but they have won their last two friendlies.
Indeed, the Welsh outfit beat Kortrijk 3-1 on July 13 before recording a 7-1 victory over Penybont last time out, and they will now be eyeing a third straight success during pre-season.
Erol Bulut's side still have a lot of football to play this summer, as they will tackle Mamelodi Sundowns, Hertha Berlin, Reading and Bristol Rovers before opening their Championship season against Sunderland on August 10.
Cardiff finished 12th in the Championship last season, but the Bluebirds will be aiming to push closer to the playoff positions during what is shaping up to be an interesting 2024-25 campaign in England's second tier.
The Welsh team have made two signings this summer, bringing in Chris Willock and Calum Chambers on free transfers, while Ebou Adams has been their biggest departure, making the move to Derby County.
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Team News
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Hamburg head coach Baumgart is expected to name a strong XI for the first whistle here before making a number of changes throughout the contest, as he will want to get more minutes in the legs of his players.
Ludovit Reis and Robert Glatzel should be among the starters for the German outfit, while Sebastian Schonlau will captain the team from the middle of the defence.
Glatzel represented Cardiff between 2019 and 2021, scoring 11 times in 58 appearances for the club.
Bakery Jatta is also expected to be among the starters for the Red Shorts in this pre-season clash.
As for Cardiff, Callum Robinson hit a brace in the success over Penybont last time out, and he is again expected to start in the final third of the field this weekend.
It is likely that changes will occur at the interval and the 60-minute mark, with Cardiff still having a lot of football to play this summer before beginning their new Championship campaign.
Callum O'Dowda was also on the scoresheet against Penybont, and he is likely to be among the starters, while Isaak Davies could feature alongside Robinson in attack.
Hamburger SV possible starting lineup:
Raab; Meyer, Schonlau, Ramos, Muheim; Reis, Pherai, Poreba; Glatzel, Selke, Jatta
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Kpakio, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins; Turnbull, Ralls, Evans, O'Dowda; Robinson, Davies
We say: Hamburger SV 1-1 Cardiff City
Both managers will be expecting a competitive fixture on Sunday afternoon and that should indeed be the case. Hamburg have a lot of quality, but Cardiff will fancy matching the German outfit, and we are predicting a low-scoring draw in this pre-season clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
