After Niko Kovac took over as head coach, the Dortmund club managed to salvage the season before last, finishing fourth and securing Champions League football. In 2025/2026, they climbed back to their familiar second-place position. The season therefore began with the Super Cup, where they hosted Bayern Munich and suffered a 1-2 defeat.
The Hamburg side spent a long time in the second division before finally returning to the Bundesliga in 2025. They initially collected 38 points and finished 13th on tiebreakers. Polzin's side have now begun the new campaign with a cup tie against Verl, whom they eventually thrashed 9-0.
The runners-up had an impressive goal ratio, scoring 2.06 goals per game and conceding exactly half as many, 1.00. The popular newcomers had a more modest record of 1.18 goals scored and 1.59 conceded per match.
Head to Head matches: Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg
Borussia Dortmund have won six of their last seven meetings, with the only other result being a draw away from home in the autumn of last year.
The clearly stronger team will be playing on home soil. We are backing them to win even with a -1.5 goal handicap (odds – 1.93).
Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg: key statistics and trends
Borussia Dortmund have failed to win their last two matches
Hamburg have won both of their last two matches
Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg: Possible starting lineups
Borussia Dortmund play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Kobel - Bensebaini, Anton, Gadu, Inacio - Karetsas, Ryerson - Nmecha, Bellingham, Svensson - Guirassy
Hamburg play in a 1-3-4-3 formation (possible lineup): Tangvik - Nandja, Bornauw, Capaldo - Lemke, Remberg, Lokonga, Jatta - Gronbaek, Daka, Adeline.