Despite conceding an injury time equaliser last weekend, Hertha BSC were the only team in the bottom five to pick up a point. The draw against Schalke 04 helped maintain their good run of form under Pal Dardai. Hertha will be hoping this record continues when they travel to the Imtech Arena to face Hamburger SV tonight (20:30 CET).
Last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Roberto Di Matteo side was their second draw in a row. The victory over Augsburg three weeks ago means they are now unbeaten in three games. They are starting to pick up points at the right time and now lie in 14th, one point and one place clear of HSV.
A win for the side from the capital would see them pull further clear of danger and increase the gap between the sides to four points. American defender John Anthony Brooks is determined to help make this happen. He played a role in Schalke’s late equaliser and is hoping to make amends tonight.
Lasogga fit again – Adler in goal
Hamburger SV haven’t won any of their last five games. Joe Zinnbauer’s side’s main problem has been scoring goals. In their previous five games they’ve only scored twice, which makes picking up points more difficult. The return of striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga couldn’t have come at a better time. The former Hertha star has been suffering from muscular problems, which forced him off after just 18 minutes of his side’s first game of 2015.
If Zinnbauer opts to play two strikers tonight, there is a good chance that Lasogga will return to the starting line-up. His partner also has a Berlin background: Ivica Olic also used to play for BSC. Another option is Ivo Ilicevic, who surprisingly started last weekend against Hoffenheim and impressed.
There will definitely be a change between the sticks for HSV. Jaroslav Drobny saw red against TSG and will be replaced by René Adler, who lasted completed a game on matchday two.