Borussia Mönchengladbach – Hamburger SV
After seven years in the second division, Hamburger SV returns to the Bundesliga with a challenging away game at Borussia-Park. While the Rothosen are traveling with confidence after their promotion under Merlin Polzin, Gerardo Seoane’s Gladbach team is struggling with considerable personnel problems. With Tim Kleindienst out until the end of October with a meniscus injury, Nathan Ngoumou with a torn Achilles tendon, and Alassane Plea out with a long-term injury, three important offensive players are missing. Following Kevin Diks’ injury in the cup game against Atlas Delmenhorst, 20-year-old Fabio Chiarodia could make his Bundesliga debut. The last direct encounters between the two teams were seven years ago, when Hamburg were still playing in the top flight, with both teams sharing the points with two wins and a draw. Remarkably, four of the five encounters ended in a high-scoring draw, which is particularly significant given Gladbach’s current offensive weakness. Despite the personnel problems, the bookmakers see the hosts as clear favorites, even though HSV almost suffered an embarrassing defeat against fourth-division side Pirmasens just a few days ago and only saved themselves from defeat in extra time thanks to a late goal from Guilherme Ramos.
- Venue: BORUSSIA-PARK, Mönchengladbach
- Date and time: 24.08.2025, 17:30
- Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 1)
Gladbach form & record check
Borussia Mönchengladbach’s first steps into the new season have been somewhat mixed. Although they have secured a place in the second round of the cup, their laborious 3-2 win against fifth-division side Atlas Delmenhorst revealed a number of weaknesses. Robin Hack scored the decisive goals with his brace, but the fact that Gladbach had to fight until the end against an amateur club raises questions about their current form. A look back at the previous Bundesliga games does not give much cause for optimism: after defeats against Bayern Munich (0-2) and at home against Wolfsburg (0-1), the Foals have already started the new Bundesliga season with two losses. It is particularly worrying that the team has conceded goals in each of its last three games, while lacking offensive punch. Gerardo Seoane also has to juggle considerable personnel problems. Tim Kleindienst, the new striker, is out until the end of October, and Nathan Ngoumou is still struggling with an Achilles tendon injury. Kevin Diks was injured in the cup game, suddenly making Fabio Chiarodia a hot candidate for the starting line-up. Julian Weigl also seems to have lost his place in the starting line-up, which further increases the uncertainty in the line-up.
Coach Gerardo Seoane is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 system. In central defense, Chiarodia could get a real chance of a starting spot after Diks’ calf muscle tear. The 20-year-old has performed well recently and would be an interesting option alongside Elvedi. In attack, Tabakovic is likely to be given another chance after his solid performance in the cup against Delmenhorst. Behind him, Hack should play a central role after his brace. With Kleindienst, Ngoumou and Plea all out with injury, Seoane’s options are significantly limited.
HSV Form & Record Check
Hamburger SV is returning to the Bundesliga after a long absence and is set to make its first top-flight appearance in years. The Rothosen’s form in recent months has been mixed, with impressive attacking performances occasionally marred by defensive weaknesses. The most recent game against Oberliga side FK Pirmasens in the DFB Cup revealed both sides of the coin: After falling behind 0-1, HSV salvaged a draw in stoppage time through Guilherme Ramos before Königsdörffer secured a 2-1 victory in extra time. It was a close call against a fourth-division side, raising questions about concentration. The Hamburg team’s offensive power in recent weeks has been remarkable. They have found the net in all five games, scoring more than 2.5 goals per game. The 6-1 win against Ulm and the 4-0 away win in Darmstadt were evidence of a functioning attack that proved its effectiveness even in a tight cup match. However, coach Merlin Polzin has personnel worries with Pherai, Dompé, and Jatta all out. The goalkeeper situation is also interesting, as Daniel Peretz could possibly replace Heuer Fernandes as number one. With the departure of Sebastian Schonlau to Vancouver, HSV also loses experience in defense, even if the former captain has hardly played recently.
Coach Merlin Polzin is likely to field his team in the tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation. Daniel Peretz could make his first appearance as the new number one in the HSV goal after recent indications of a possible change between the posts. HSV are missing several key players in attack. Pherai is out for the long term with a torn medial ligament, while Dompé and Jatta are also unlikely to be available. This could open up a chance for Røssing-Lelesiit in the starting line-up, supported by Philippe and Capaldo behind Königsdörffer up front.
H2H Gladbach – HSV Head-to-head comparison & statistics
The direct history between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hamburger SV goes back more than seven years. The last meeting took place in May 2018, when HSV were still playing in the first division and narrowly avoided relegation with a 2-1 home win. The last five encounters between 2016 and 2018 show a remarkably even record: both teams recorded two wins each, with a goalless draw in 2016. Interestingly, HSV celebrated both of their victories at home, while Gladbach were more successful away from home. A clear pattern in the previous encounters was the cautious approach in the first half. In three consecutive matches, the score was level at half-time before the games were usually decided in the second half. Most of the games were high-scoring, with only one ending with fewer than two goals in total. Following HSV’s relegation in 2018 and Hamburg’s long spell in the second division, two completely changed teams now face each other. The historical data therefore has only limited significance for tomorrow’s reunion in the Bundesliga.
The tip for both teams to score seems particularly well-founded: Gladbach have conceded at least one goal in each of their last games, while HSV have been scoring consistently but also conceding regularly. With Fabio Chiarodia a hot candidate for the starting line-up after Diks’ injury and further defensive personnel concerns on both sides, the way to goal should be open. The betting markets have Gladbach as clear favorites at 1.9, but this assessment may not take sufficient account of the hosts’ defensive problems. It also seems interesting to bet on under 1.5 goals in the second half, as Gladbach have consistently played more defensively after the break recently, even though HSV pose a certain risk with their attacking style of play. The recommendation for over 2.5 goals in the entire game is based on Hamburg’s perfect record in this category and Gladbach’s shaky defense, which conceded two goals even against fifth-division side Delmenhorst. Robin Hack, who scored twice in the cup win, could pose a threat again, while Hamburg will certainly be more confident after their hard-fought 2-1 win in extra time in Pirmasens.
