On Saturday evening we will see the
classic between Hamburger SV and Schalke 04 in the first round of Bundesliga were several top class players will be on the pitch.
Despite the biggest budget of their history the Hamburger SV couldn't qualify for the European Cup last season. Nevertheless they did almost no modifications on their squad. For Jerome Boateng, who left to Manchester City, Heiko Westermann came from Schalke. Several important players just started to train recently, because they took part in the World Cup before. Inside the club the atmosphere is heated, if the start doesn't go well it could have negative impact on the whole season. The HSV and the new coach Armin Veh are under high pressure from the start.
Several things have changed at the runners-up FC Schalke. Besides Kuranyi and Rafinha also the complette central defence has left with Westermann and Bordon. In return top goalscorer Raul and defender Metzelder came from Real Madrid. More players were bought for the defence and it seems like that playmaker Misimovic will be transfered from Wolfsburg soon. The new team of coach Felix Magath has high quality, but probably needs some time to find together.
Hamburger SV vs Schalke 04
Bundesliga: 1st round
Date: 21 August 2010 - 18:30 CET
Stadium: Imtech-Arena, Hamburg
Referee: tba
Hamburger SV:
Keeper: Rost
Defenders: Demel - Westermann - Mathijsen - Jansen
Midfielders: Jarolim - Zé Roberto - Petric - Pitroipa - Elia
Forwards: Van Nistelrooy
Coach: Veh
Injured: Aogo - Castelen - Diekmaier - Son - Stepanek - Torun
Booked:-
Schalke 04:
Keeper: Neuer
Defenders: Uchida - Höwedes - Metzelder - Schmitz
Midfielders: Jones - Rakitic - Farfan - Hao
Forwards: Raul - Edu
Coach: Magath
Injured: Gavranovic - Hoogland - Kenia - Pander
Booked: -
The Imtec-Arena will be sold out with 57.000 spectators.
For Saturday evening rain is forecasted for Hamburg.
Last meeting: 21 March 2010, Hamburger SV - FC Schalke 2:2
Wins Hamburger SV: 35
Wins Schalke: 37
Draws: 21
Two strong teams clash in this classic. Hamburgs home advantage can be equalised by Schalkes slightly higher quality. Both teams could live with a draw in their season opener.
The best odds on draw you can find at
