Hamburg Derby Reignites: St. Pauli and Hamburg Battle for Bundesliga Survival
In a critical Bundesliga clash, Hamburg's fierce rivals, St. Pauli and Hamburger SV, will face off in the Hamburg Derby at Millerntor-Stadion. Both teams are precariously positioned near the relegation zone, desperately needing a win to climb out of trouble, making this match a high-stakes battle for both points and city pride.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This eagerly anticipated Hamburg Derby marks the 113th city showdown, with both teams struggling in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. St. Pauli currently sits at rock-bottom in 18th place with 12 points, while Hamburger SV is positioned 14th with 17 points, just above the relegation zone. The outcome of this match will significantly impact both teams' survival hopes, especially as both are enduring extended winless streaks, making a victory crucial for morale and precious points. Beyond the league standings, the Hamburg Derby is deeply rooted in the distinct cultural and historical identities of the two clubs; HSV embodies tradition and glory, while St. Pauli represents counterculture and community values, igniting passionate clashes every time they meet.
Recent Form
St. Pauli's recent form has been concerning, with only one win in their last five league matches. They suffered back-to-back defeats, losing 2-3 to Borussia Dortmund and 1-2 to VfL Wolfsburg, following a 0-0 draw against Mainz. Their sole victory in this period was a 2-1 home win against 1. FC Heidenheim, preceded by a 1-1 draw with FC Cologne. This poor run extends to just one win in their last 14 league games (2 draws, 11 losses). Hamburger SV is also struggling, winless in their last four league matches (2 draws, 2 losses), which includes a 0-0 home draw against Mönchengladbach last weekend and a 2-1 away defeat to Freiburg. Furthermore, Hamburg is yet to secure an away league win this season, having lost their last five road games.
Key Players & Injury News
St. Pauli is grappling with significant injury woes. Top scorer Andréas Hountondji is expected to be out until late April 2026 with a broken ankle, while captain Jackson Irvine is sidelined until early February due to a foot injury, and Danel Sinani is recovering from a calf injury, targeting an early February return. Although Martijn Kaars has stepped in as striker due to Hountondji's absence, he is also recovering from a groin injury. In contrast, the consistent performances of midfielders James Sands and Joel Chima Fujita will be crucial for St. Pauli's chances. Hamburger SV faces similar injury challenges. Forward Robert Glatzel is expected to be out until late January with a thigh injury, and key forward Rayan Philippe is questionable due to illness. Yussuf Poulsen (ankle injury, out until early March), Jean-Luc Dompé (muscle injury, out until late January), and Bakery Jatta (hip injury, out until early February) are also unavailable. Furthermore, Daniel Elfadli is suspended due to an accumulation of red cards, ruling him out of this fixture. The absence of these key attackers will undoubtedly place immense pressure on both teams' offensive capabilities, and how each side manages their injury crisis will be critical in this crucial relegation battle.