While it is still early in the season, many had predicted both Hertha Berlin and Hamburger SV to fight all season to stay in the top flight of German football. However, the two sides sit in seventh and eleventh respectively, with the former hosting the latter at the Olympiastadion. 

Form 

The hosts for today's match drew late with Eintracht Frankfurt with Vladimir Darida scoring the equalizing goal with eight minutes remaining. This is the epitome of Pál Dárdai's side this season as they do not quit until the final whistle has blown. In the previous match against Köln new signing Vedad Ibišević scored both goals, towards the end of each half and should be able to continue to find the back of the net form here on out. 

Meanwhile, Hamburg struggled to stay in the Bundesliga for another season as they had to endure a two-legged playoff round against a 2. Bundesliga opponent. This season though, has been different. They have already won three matches, defeating Stuttgart, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Ingolstadt. 

In their last match, unfortunately, Hamburg were handed a 0-1 defeat to Schalke but defended very well for most of the match, limiting to their opposition to few opportunities in front of the goal. 

Key Players

For Hertha, it will be Stutgart loanee Vedad Ibišević who will have the task of continuing to be a force in front of the target. He has not scored many goals, but did score twice in one match which will surely be a big boost in his confidence as he tries to find his place in this side. If not then they will have to go back to Salomon Kalou, who has also scored on two occasions. 

23-year-old Pierre-Michel Lasogga has already found the back of the net three times in his seven appearances for Hamburg which is a big improvement from last season when he scored four times the entire campaign. This is a very good sign because a club needs to have a proven and consistent goal scorer should they want to stay up in the top flight of the league for yet another year. 

Prediction

The hosts will be coming away with the victory this evening as they just have more ability at every position on the pitch than Hamburg. There is only going to be one question mark and that is going to be the play of their back up goalkeeper as Thomas Kraft is not yet healthy. 

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