Soccer
Verdict: Total away goals over 2.5
Best odds: 5/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Bayern Munich travel to the Volksparkstadion on Saturday aiming to respond immediately to their first Bundesliga defeat of the season, while hosts Hamburger SV continue their battle to move up the table.
The home side sit 14th with 18 points following a goalless draw with St Pauli, while league‑leaders Bayern remain on 50 points after their unexpected 2‑1 loss to Augsburg.
Hamburger SV
Hamburger’s stalemate with St Pauli on January 23 reflected their ongoing attacking struggles. They failed to fashion a single clear‑cut chance and produced only 0.35 expected goals, barely above their opponents’ 0.33 xG. Merlin Polzin’s side hold a fragile three‑point cushion over 16th‑placed Mainz—who occupy the relegation playoff berth—but the table remains compressed, with just two points separating them from 10th‑placed Köln.
Hamburger have failed to score in their last two fixtures and have managed more than one goal in only two of their previous 14 matches across all competitions. Their recent form shows no wins from five outings, a run comprising three draws, seven goals conceded and two clean sheets.
Despite these issues, their home form offers some encouragement. Die Rothosen are unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga games at the Volksparkstadion and can record a third win in that span with a positive result on Saturday.
Team News
Yussuf Poulsen remains sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected to return until March.
In his absence, the attacking roles may be filled by Ransford Königsdörffer, on‑loan midfielder Fabio Vieira and Damion Downs.
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s perfect league record vanished against Augsburg, despite taking a 23rd‑minute lead. Two late goals inflicted a first Bundesliga defeat of the season on Vincent Kompany’s men, leaving Bayer Leverkusen’s 2023‑24 title‑winning campaign as the only unbeaten German top‑flight season in history.
However, Bayern bounced back quickly in Europe. Their 2-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday confirmed a second‑place finish in the Champions League league phase. It was also their 10th win in 12 matches across all competitions, a stretch in which they have scored at least three goals on eight occasions.
Bayern dismantled Hamburger 5-0 in the reverse fixture in September 2025 and now target an 11th straight win against them. Their away form is equally imposing—they have won each of their last six road fixtures and 11 of their previous 12 domestic matches outside Munich.
Team News
Bayern’s squad is largely in good condition, though Konrad Laimer remains unavailable due to a calf issue. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka should form the midfield partnership, while full‑back roles are likely to fall to Tom Bischof and Hiroki Itō.
Harry Kane is certain to spearhead the attack, supported by wingers Michael Olise and Luis Díaz, with teenager Lennart Karl potentially receiving minutes.
Head‑to‑Head
Historically, Bayern have dominated this fixture. The Bavarians have won comfortably in recent years, including a 5-0 victory earlier this season. Hamburger’s last win over Bayern dates back many years, with the Munich giants routinely overpowering their northern counterparts. Given Bayern’s current attacking output and Hamburger’s struggles in front of goal, the statistical and historical trends heavily favour the league leaders.
Conclusion
Bayern’s defeat to Augsburg came as a shock, but it would be surprising if Kompany’s side failed to produce an immediate response. Hamburger have struggled to create chances and have a poor record against Bayern, leaving the hosts understandably wary.
With the visitors in strong overall form and boasting a dominant head‑to‑head history, the Bundesliga leaders are expected to return to winning ways on Saturday in style.
Verdict: Total away goals over 2.5
Best odds: 5/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Read MoreVeselin Trajkovic