MX23RW : Monday, December 30 20:34:29| >> :600:5492656:5492656:
[monks data]
Hamburg logo
Bundesliga
May 23, 2015 at 2.30pm UK
 
Schalke

2-0

Olic (49'), Rajkovic (58')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Hamburger SV vs. Schalke 04

Sports Mole looks ahead to the final day of the Bundesliga season as Hamburger SV bid to avoid relegation against Schalke 04.

All eyes will be on Hamburger SV on Saturday as they look to earn the result they need against Schalke 04 to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.

Six teams can still finish in the relegation playoff or go down automatically, and Schalke will have a big say on who stays in the top flight of German football.


Hamburger SV

Hamburg's Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot during the German first division Bundesliga football match against Bayer Leverkusen on November 1, 2014© Getty Images

Hamburg head into the final match of a disappointing season knowing that only a victory will be enough to ensure they are playing Bundesliga football in August, but with the threat of the relegation playoff also a strong possibility, there is plenty of pressure on the shoulders of the players.

Realistically, if results go their way on Saturday afternoon Bruno Labbadia's side could climb up to 14th spot, and the celebrations would go on for many hours if they manage to pull that off on the final matchday.

A dramatic relegation battle looked to be over for Hamburg a few weeks back when a run of nine matches without a win left them clinging on, but victories over Augsburg and Mainz 05 restored hope before a draw with fellow strugglers Freiburg.

Labbadia's team looked on course for a comfortable final day when Gojko Kacar broke the deadlock against Stuttgart last weekend, but an impressive fightback from the hosts at the Mercedez-Benz Arena condemned Hamburg to a 2-1 defeat to leave them one point off the relegation playoff.

In truth, Hamburg would probably take a spot in the playoff if it was offered to them right now but they will also be fully aware that Schalke could be short of their best with nothing to play for on Saturday.

A busy summer is expected for the club, but Saturday's result could decide which direction the team heads in as players fight for their future on what is certain to be a dramatic afternoon.

Recent form: LLWWDL


Schalke

Schalke's Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (L) celebrates after scoring with Schalke's midfielder Max Meyer (R) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match  against Real Madrid on March 10, 2015© Getty Images

Schalke's supporters are probably quite happy to be saying goodbye to a season which will be remembered for too many poor performances in a Bundesliga which now looks very different to previous years.

The likes of Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg have emerged as the closest challengers to runaway champions Bayern Munich in this campaign, and Schalke can count themselves fortunate to be heading for the Europa League after their struggles in recent months.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's late winner against Paderborn last weekend ensured that Schalke will finish in the top six and a point is likely to be enough to clinch fifth spot ahead of Augsburg, who visit Gladbach on Saturday afternoon.

After turning to Roberto Di Matteo following a poor start to the campaign, the squad looked to be improving under the Italian's guidance but their form since the turn of the year has exposed the weaknesses in the squad and last week's win may have saved the head coach's job.

A busy summer awaits the club as they look to bring in players that can take them back into the top four, with Sami Khedira reportedly top of the list, but it's also likely to be a window which sees the squad take on a different look as Di Matteo attempts to bring in more players to suit his style.

Recent form: DDLWLW


Team News

Stuttgart's headcoach Bruno Labbadia looks on prior to the German first division Bundesliga football match VfB Stuttgart vs Bayer Leverkusen in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on August 17, 2013© Getty Images

Labbadia will be without captain Rafael van der Vaart for the season finale after the Dutch playmaker picked up his 10th yellow card of the season against Stuttgart last weekend.

Van der Vaart's absence could hand an opportunity to Lewis Holtby, who will be given the responsibility of providing chances for an attack which should be led by Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Ivica Olic.

Julian Draxler was influential as a half-time substitute in Schalke's win over Hoffenheim, and his injury-ravaged season is likely to end with a start.

Di Matteo could also turn to Leon Goretzka in midfield, but the visitors will be without Benedikt Howedes due to injury.

Hamburger SV possible starting lineup:
Adler, Westermann, Djourou, Rajkovic, Ostrzolek, Jansen, Kacar, Holtby, Ilicevic, Lasogga, Olic

Schalke possible starting lineup:
Fahrmann, Kolasinac, Nastasic, Matip, Barnetta, Goretzka, Aogo, Choupo-Moting, Draxler, Farfan, Huntelaar


Head To Head

In a fixture which usually promises goals and drama, it was a surprise to see the two sides play out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture back in December.

Schalke have lost just one of their last seven games against Hamburg, and Huntelaar, Jefferson Farfan and Max Meyer were all on target as they cruised to a 3-0 victory on their last visit to the Imtech Arena in January 2014.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Hamburg 2-1 Schalke

Schalke relieved the pressure on Di Matteo's shoulders with a win last weekend, but they were still short of their best form against Paderborn. Hamburg are desperate for a positive result, and even though a victory might not be enough to save them, Labbadia's side may have enough to clinch a vital win.



ID:224142: cacheID:224142:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10856:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Schalke's Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal during the German First division Bundesliga football match FC Schalke 04 vs FC Augsburg in Gelsenkirchen on October 31, 2014
Read Next:
Schalke clinch Europa League spot
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1FC Koln179443223931
2Karlsruher SCKarlsruher178543431329
3Hamburger SV1777339231628
4Elversberg178453122928
5Magdeburg177733024628
6SC PaderbornSC Paderborn177732924528
7Hannover178362217527
8Fortuna DusseldorfDusseldorf177552823526
9KaiserslauternKaiserslautern177553027326
10SV Darmstadt 98Darmstadt176653629724
11Nuremberg176473130122
12Hertha Berlin176472727022
13Schalke 04Schalke175573233-120
14Greuther Furth175572433-920
15Preussen Munster173771823-516
16SSV UlmUlm172871620-414
17Eintracht BraunschweigBraunschweig1734101636-2013
18Jahn RegensburgJahn173212939-3011


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!