Preview: Borussia Monchengladbach vs Hamburger SV - prediction, team news, lineups

Hosts Borussia Monchengladbach will begin their 2025-26 Bundesliga season against Hamburger SV at Borussia Park on Sunday.

The home side finished 10th in 2024-25 with 45 points, while the visitors were promoted from the 2. Bundesliga last season after placing second with 59 points.

Match preview

Borussia Monchengladbach improved upon their points total from 2023-24 by 11, and their return was their joint best in four campaigns.

Manager Gerardo Seoane's side faced the most xG of any team in the top flight last term (64.3), and only four clubs conceded more than them (57).

Die Fohlen head into the weekend's clash fresh from their 3-2 DFB-Pokal victory against SV Atlas Delmenhorst on August 17.

The club's victory was their first in any competition for eight games, with the team experiencing five defeats in that run.

Borussia Monchengladbach were winless in their last three Bundesliga matches at home - losing twice - and they were beaten in two of their prior four at Borussia Park while winning just once.

Hamburger SV's successful promotion means they will be playing top-flight football for the first time since 2017-18.

Boss Merlin Polzin will be pleased that his side were the 2. Bundesliga's leading scorers, netting at least 14 more than every other club in the division (78).

The visitors last faced off against Die Fohlen in May 2018 - winning 2-1 - and they have won two and lost two of their past four meetings with their hosts.

HSV narrowly beat Pirmasens 2-1 on August 16 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, but they did lose each of their four friendlies leading up to the triumph.

Hamburger SV ended the 2024-25 campaign with three victories from their final five away outings while only suffering one defeat.

Borussia Monchengladbach form:

Hamburger SV form:

Team News

Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst's meniscus injury means Haris Tabakovic is set to lead his side's attack, supported by wingers Franck Honorat and Robin Hack.

Kevin Stoger is a probable candidate to play in an advanced role ahead of a double pivot consisting of Rocco Reitz and Philipp Sander.

Nico Elvedi and Joseph Scally may feature in the heart of defence considering centre-back Kevin Diks is sidelined.

Hamburger SV utilised a 3-4-3 system last time out, and wingers Rayan Philippe and Alexander Rossing-Lelesiit could start given Bakery Jatta is a doubt.

In midfield, Nicolas Capaldo and Nicolai Remberg are likely to be selected in the XI in a double pivot.

Warmed Omari, Daniel Elfadli and Jordan Torunarigha all played in a back three in the DFB-Pokal, and the trio will hope to appear together again on Sunday.

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:

Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Chiarodia, Ullrich; Reitz, Sander; Honorat, Stoger, Hack; Tabakovic

Hamburger SV possible starting lineup:

Fernandes; Omari, Elfadli, Torunarigha; Gocholeishvili, Capaldo, Remberg, Muheim; Philippe, Konigsdorffer, Rossing-Lelesiit

We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Hamburger SV

Borussia Monchengladbach were defensively vulnerable at times last season, and they may struggle to keep a clean sheet.

Hamburger SV were outstanding in the final third in 2024-25, and they could cause an upset considering their hosts were inconsistent at home in the final stages of the previous campaign.

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