Hannover’s record against die Hanseaten since returning to Germany’s top flight counts for nothing according to coach Andreas Bergmann. ‘Only the game on Sunday counts’, mentions Bergmann, ‘every single one of my players must push themselves to the limit to give the team every chance of success. We should have respect for HSV, they have great players who can change a game in an instant, but we should look to face the challenge head on.’

96 have won their last two games by a goal to nil against both VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Köln, and there is a good chance Bergmann will maintain the same successful starting eleven. From that line-up, only central defender Christian Schulz is a doubt due to a back injury. Elsewhere, Arnold Bruggink looks certain to continue his spell out on the sidelines for Bergmann’s side.

Fan favourite Jiri Stajner likes scoring against HSV.

The visit of a top team

After 20 points in the first 8 league games, the wheels have come a little bit off of the bandwagon for HSV; following successive draws against Bayer Leverkusen (0-0) and Schalke (3-3) and then the disappointing 3-2 reverse at home to Mönchengladbach.

Big things are expected from Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia, and the coach has certainly moved on from preceding coach Martin Jol’s more conservative style of play. But make no mistake about it- the Hamburg fans want trophies under Labbadia, or at least a title challenge this season to start with.

Full of goals

Indeed, if you want to see goals, Labbadia’s side are the team to watch out for at the moment; Hamburg are not only this season’s Bundesliga top scorers so far, with 25 goals, but they have also conceded 14 goals, which is even more than 15^th placed 1. FC Köln.

It is certainly a conundrum for HSV, who in Frank Rost have an experienced goalkeeper, as well as a back four with a lot of international experience, pointing to the fact that they perhaps are not all working together as well as they should be.

The feat of scoring 25 goals already this season is all the more impressive considering that Hamburg are without Jose Paulo Guerrero (cruciate ligament) and Mladen Petric (tendon damage to the right ankle), meaning that the onus has fallen upon Marcus Berg. The Swedish international has faced some criticism, but has answered some of those critics with three goals.

Will Hannover be celebrating a third win on the trot?

Danger from midfield

Bergmann describes Ze Roberto as Hamburg’s danger man. The Brazilian has already scored five times this season, and will possibly line up with Hanno Balitsch in the centre. It will doubt also be crucial for Hannover to keep Piotr Trochowski and Dutch whirlwind Eljero Elia quiet if they are to come away with something from the game.

Hamburg will though be without Collin Benjamin, Alex Silva, Bastian Reinhardt and Romeo Castelen due to injury, in addition of course to Guerrero and Petric, with Jerome Boateng also doubtful.

A sell out at the AWD-Arena

Andi Bergmann is looking forward to the atmosphere in the AWD-Arena on Sunday, and he knows how important the Hannover fans will be: ‘I hope that they can be our twelth man, we need the support!’

Facts, facts and more facts!

• Hannover have only lost two of their last 13 northern derbies with Hamburg, winning six and drawing five.

• Hannover have picked up an impressive seven points out of a possible nine in their last three games. They have only lost two of their last 18 home matches.

• Hamburg have not lost any of their past six away games, the longest such run in the league at the moment.

• Hamburg have scored more goals (8) in the first 15 minutes of games than any other side in the Bundesliga.

Possible starting line-ups:

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Haggui, Schulz (Eggimann), Rausch - Balitsch - Pinto, Rosenthal, Djakpa - Stajner, Ya Konan

Hamburger SV: Rost - Demel, Boateng (Rozehnal), Mathijsen, Aogo (Jansen) - Jarolim, Zé Roberto - Trochowski, Elia - Berg, Pitroipa