HSV vs. Mainz 05 preview: Both clubs looking to steady their Bundesliga start

After a seven-year wait for a Bundesliga return, HSV have been quickly reminded of the league’s demands. Just one point from their first three games – including a 5-0 thrashing at Bayern – highlighted the challenge. Recent weeks, however, have offered encouragement. Four points from their last two fixtures brought a long-awaited first Bundesliga win, beating Heidenheim 2-1 at home, followed by a positive goalless draw at Union Berlin.

That point in the capital saw HSV survive an early scare from a missed Andrej Ilić penalty before dominating possession, though they struggled to create clear chances. They also suffered setbacks: Fabio Vieira, who has impressed since arriving, was sent off late on, while defender Warmed Omari sustained an ankle injury that will rule him out until at least 2026. 

Polzin’s biggest concern remains in attack. His side dictate possession well but look largely toothless in the final third, with only two goals in five matches and just Augsburg posting a worse xG. The absence of Yussuf Poulsen has been felt both as a physical presence and as a leader up front. As he awaits a return, more will be expected from Rayan Philippe and Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer.

At home, HSV will be looking to rediscover the form that underpinned their promotion push last season, when they lost only twice in 17 league outings. The recent Heidenheim win could yet prove the spark to turn the Volksparkstadion into a fortress once again.

Fabio Vieira – who would have likely been out due to a knee injury anyways – will serve the first of his two-game suspension picked up last time out. Warmed Omari will also miss out due to his aforementioned injury. There is a chance that Jordan Torunarigha and Yussuf Poulsen could return to the match day squad having both trained with no issues this week.  

Mainz’s domestic campaign has started slowly, with just one win from five league matches following last season’s impressive sixth-place finish. A 2-0 home defeat to Dortmund last weekend undid much of the momentum gained from their matchday four victory in Augsburg, leaving Bo Henriksen’s men desperately searching for consistency.

Unlike their hosts, Mainz are also juggling European commitments. While some view it as a potential burden, the Conference League has provided a timely confidence boost. On Thursday, they battled past Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, earning a 1-0 win courtesy of a Nadiem Amiri penalty – just their second clean sheet of the season.