Hamburger SV vs. 1. FSV Mainz 05 (28.04.2012 14:30 GMT)
Mainz travel to Hamburg with their season all but wrapped up: a comfortable mid-table finish pleasing the fans. Things are different for their hosts who still face a battle to maintain their Bundesliga 1 status. Relegation is always disastorous but the prospect has even more poingency for HSV as they are currently the only team in Germany to never have been relegated from a German top flight league, the nickname Dinosaur is apt for the only team to have continuously played in the Bundesliga since it’s inception.
Looking to aid the HSV cause is Paolo Guerrero, the Peruvian has served the last of his 8-game ban for his dangerous challenge on keeper Sven Ulriech, during Hamburg’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of Stuttgart. Hamburg fans will be pleased to hear that the influencial striker isn’t coming into this game cold as he helped Rothosen to a 4-1 victory in a friendly against MSV Pampow. Along with Mladen Petric, Tolgay Arslan and Gökhan Töre Guerrero managed to grab a goal in that victory.
Guerrero is optimistic of his sides chances of staying up, as he made clear during a recent interview with his clubs official website:
“We have stopped our slide now and must now prove against Mainz that we are capable of winning three points. It would be nice if our relegation battle would end on Saturday evening and I am optimistic that it will. Even at the toughest of times I never thought that we wouldn’t stay up. It is up to us to complete that mission on Saturday. With our amazing fans behind us I am sure we will.”
Hamburg coach, Thorsten Fink, will also be glad to welcome back Right back Dennis Diekmeier, the talented 22 year old had been a constant in the side until his ankle injury at the start of the month. Robert Tesche, defensive mid, returns from a thigh injury and should be available for selection. Also of note is that Keeper Sven Neuhaus was between the sticks for the friendly against MSV Pampow, ahead of regular first choice Jaroslav Drobny. Drobny suffered a bruised pelvis in last weeks draw against Nürnberg. However the Czech keeper is expected to make a return with Think having this to say to the HSV website:
“Drobo is tough, he won’t miss the last game of the season in front of a home crowd.”
Still uncertain are winger Ivo Ilicevic – struggling with a groin injury and midfielder Per Skjelbred.
Promising young Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel has no new injury problems, still on the physios table are: nigerian striker – Anthony Ujah, Bo Svensson – Swedish centre back [out since December], Marcel Risse – right mid is also a long term absentee, the 22 year old was last in action n November, and left mid – Zoltán Stieber, the Hungarian was injured at the start of the month.
Last 5 Matches
| 2009/2010 | 28.11.2009 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Hamburger SV | 1:1 | ||
| 2009/2010 | 17.04.2010 | Hamburger SV | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | 0:1 | ||
| 2010/2011 | 16.10.2010 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Hamburger SV | 0:1 | ||
| 2010/2011 | 06.03.2011 | Hamburger SV | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | 2:4 | ||
| 2011/2012 | 10.12.2011 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Hamburger SV | 0:0 |
Key Battles
Paolo Guerrero vs. Niko Bungert
The fiery-tempered Peruvians return will be much welcomes by the hamburg fans; his side have struggled for goals in his absence and as a result have been pulled into the relegation dogfight. He may be quick tempered but he’s also quick to latch on to any opportunity in front of goal, if he can shake of the rust from his 8-game ban he’ll pose a real threat to the Mainz defence. At the centre of that Mainz defence is Niko Bungert, a stalwart for die Nullfünfer he’s managed to contrinute 3 bundesliga goals plus 1 in European competition.
Mohamed Zidan vs. Dennis Aogo
Zidan was an inspirational signing this winter. His goals were instrumental in securing Mainz’s top flight position. Although his scoring has petered out since his intitial 6 goals in 6 game start this year he is still a dangerous prospect. Dennis Aogo has cooled his head since starting the season and is less of a chance of getting his name in the referees book. He will have both offensive duties and defencive as the left back and his team mates try to stifle the dynamic Mainz forward line.
Bundesliga Football Prediction 2:1
