One of German football’s classic fixtures makes its long-awaited return on Saturday night, as Bayern Munich host Hamburg SV at the Allianz Arena for the first time since 2018.
The Bavarians have made a flying start to their Bundesliga campaign, while Hamburg are still chasing their first league victory over Bayern since way back in 2009.
Bayern, the reigning champions, will look to extend their flawless start to the season in what is traditionally billed as the Nord-Süd-Gipfel — the North-South summit. The rivalry reached its peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Hamburg regularly challenged Bayern for domestic dominance and the meetings carried genuine unpredictability.
In recent years, though, the contest has been one-sided. Bayern have won 13 of the last 14 clashes, many of them in emphatic fashion. Their record at home is particularly ruthless: the last eight meetings in Munich produced scorelines of 6-0, 8-0, 5-0, 8-0, 3-1, 9-2, 5-0 and 6-0. With such a gulf in class between the two sides, many expect another heavy Bayern win this weekend.
The champions also have momentum firmly behind them. Under Vincent Kompany, they have won all four of their competitive matches so far this season, including a thumping 6-0 victory over RB Leipzig in their only home outing to date. Kompany himself has history with Hamburg, having played 51 games for the Rothosen before moving to Manchester City, but sentiment will count for little when the whistle blows on Saturday.
Hamburg, meanwhile, are struggling to find their footing on their top-flight return after seven years away. Merlin Polzin’s side are still waiting for their first Bundesliga goal of the season, having opened with a 0-0 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach before suffering a painful 2-0 home defeat to St. Pauli in the Hamburg derby.
Scoring in Munich has always been a tall order for HSV and given their blunt attack and poor record away to Bayern, the visitors know they face a daunting task. While their supporters may be hoping for an upset, history and current form suggests another long evening awaits in Bavaria.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Bayern Munich added a late boost to their attack on deadline day by bringing in Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson on loan, and the striker could make his debut for the Bavarians this weekend.
Vincent Kompany will still have to manage without several key players, though. Alphonso Davies (knee), Hiroki Ito (foot), and Jamal Musiala (ankle) remain sidelined, while youngster Tom Bischof is doubtful despite returning to training earlier this week following appendix surgery.
Hamburg also dipped into the transfer market before the window closed, strengthening their squad with Arsenal duo Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga, both of whom are available for selection in Munich.
However, they may be without defender Jordan Torunarigha, who picked up an Achilles problem during the international break, while Georgia international Giorgi Gocholeishvili is suspended after his red card in the derby defeat to St. Pauli.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
Hamburger SV possible starting lineup:
Heuer Fernandes; Omari, Elfadli, Vuskovic; Mikelbrencis, Remberg, Capaldo, Muheim; Vieira, Dompe; Konigsdorffer
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Bayern Munich 4-0 Hamburger SV
