Preview: SC Verl vs Hamburger SV - prediction, team news, lineups

Seven years on from their last DFB Pokal appearance, SC Verl are back in the competition and will take on Bundesliga heavyweights Hamburger SV in the first round on Monday.

The 3. Liga side enter Monday’s fixture on the back of a dreadful start to the season, while the visitors are recent cup semi-finalists and will be hoping to make a statement ahead of the new campaign.

Match preview

Verl enjoyed a strong season under the stewardship of Tobias Strobl last season, who guided the club to a respectable sixth-place finish.

The German boss was subsequently given an opportunity to manage recently relegated Wolfsburg in the 2. Bundesliga, leaving Verl to appoint Orest Shala as his replacement this summer. 

The 34-year-old has already overseen two league matches this season in the German third tier, though both ended in heavy defeats, leaving the club without much momentum ahead of Monday’s big game.

A 4-1 defeat to Aachen followed by a 4-2 home loss against Duisburg underline the club’s defensive issues, though the chance to compete in the DFB Pokal should offer the team a nice break from league duties.

In terms of their cup history, Verl’s last appearance came in the 2019/20 season, when they reached the round-of-16, ultimately going out against Union Berlin. 

© Iconsport / PictureAlliance

Hamburger SV marked their first season back in the top tier of German football with a respectable 13th-placed finish and a run to the round-of-16 in the DFB Pokal.

Nine wins from 34 Bundesliga games is a tally that the six-time German champions will be looking to improve this term, as Merlin Polzin enters his second full season in charge.

In order to boost their chances of improvement in the Bundesliga, the club have been busy in the summer window, primarily bringing in talent from the French Ligue 1. 

The likes of Albert Gronbaek and Martin Adeline have arrived for big money, while Fabio Balde, Robert Glatzel, Lukasz Poreba and Ransford Konigsdorffer have departed.

When it comes to the DFB Pokal, Hamburg have endured several early exits over the years, and they will be looking to avoid another quick elimination in their first competitive game of the season.

SC Verl form (all competitions):

Hamburger SV form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago / Eibner

Verl will be without centre-back Paul Lehmann, who only arrived earlier this summer from Dynamo Dresden.

When it comes to creativity, the club will once again rely on loanee Andre Leipold and new signing Mika Clausen.

In the attacking department, the pressure will be on striker Tim Hieke, who arrived at the club from Duisburg over the summer.

Hamburg, on the other hand, have a lengthy injury list, with the likes of Alexander Rossing-Lelesiit, Warmed Omari, Jean-Luc Dompe, Fernando Dickes, Miro Muheim, and Jordan Torunarigha all sidelined. 

Head coach Polzin will not be able to start his strongest starting lineup, though he still has strong options across all positions.

Leeds United loanee Sebastiaan Bornauw is expected to lead the defensive effort, while Patson Daka should start as the striker following his move from Leicester City.

SC Verl possible starting lineup:

Fuest; Bamba, Vogler, Hoffmann, Berner; Farouk, Yalcinkaya; Leipold, Clausen, Mesanovic; Heike

Hamburger SV possible starting lineup:

Tangvik; Lemke, Bornauw, Agyekum, Omari; Nadir, Amoako; Adeline, Pherai, Sahiti; Daka

We say: SC Verl 0-3 Hamburger SV

Having conceded eight goals in two league games, Verl have some significant defensive issues ahead of Monday’s cup clash.

Hamburg have enough quality in the side to take advantage and secure their spot in the next round without too many dramas.

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