Hamburger SV vs. 1. FC Köln Preview: Polzin keen to repay trust
· Yahoo Sports
New Germany international Said El Mala and Köln will travel to struggling Hamburg in matchday 4 action.
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HSV
Many expected Hamburg officials to follow Borussia Mönchengladbach’s direction in sacking the coach after the first three games of the season, but Merlin Polzin is preparing to extend his contract instead.
Back-to-back 5-0 defeats to Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig left the traditional club at the bottom of the standings, but they acknowledge Polzin’s past as he led them to safety last season after bringing them back to top-flight league.
Team News
Fabio Vieira is expected to make the starting lineup for the first time since joining HSV on a permanent move. Miro Muheim is also ready to make his first appearance of the season as he returns to the required fitness level. Sebastian Bornauw will remain on the sidelines with muscular problems.
Köln
Köln started the season with a hard-fought win over Europa League participants Hoffenheim. René Wagner’s men maintained their unbeaten home start with a 1-1 draw to Werder Bremen last week, but they lost 4-1 at Stuttgart in their first away fixture.
With their activity in the transfer market, there are more expectations from the carnival city club this season. The Billy Goats also have their first Germany international since their former captain Jonas Hector as Jürgen Klopp included Said El Mala for UEFA Nations League action.
Team News
Timo Hübers is the only first-team player on the injured list, which means Wagner has to drop three players from the matchday squad once again. El Mala will be back in the lineup after playing the last 15 minutes against Werder Bremen. Ragnar Ache and Thijs Dallinga will compete for a starting berth up front.
Head-to-Head
Hamburg finished the game with nine players when they lost to Köln 4-1 in matchday 9 of last season. In the reverse fixture, the teams shared spoils following first-half goals from Fabio Vieira, who was sent off in Köln, and El Mala.