Hamburger SV vs 1. FC Köln

Hamburger SV host 1. FC Köln at the Volksparkstadion sitting rock bottom of the table, still hunting their first point and first goal of the season. Three straight defeats have brought a brutal 0-12 goal difference, and manager Merlin Polzin — recently handed a contract extension despite the alarming start — badly needs a response. Köln arrive in better shape, ninth with four points after beating Hoffenheim, losing at Stuttgart, and drawing with Werder Bremen. Winger Said El Mala returns fully fit and striker Ragnar Ache leads the line with Thijs Dallinga out. Hamburg's Fabio Vieira offers the main creative spark, but defender Seb Bornauw (muscle) and Kofi Amoako (illness) are doubts; Köln remain without Luca Waldschmidt and long-term absentee Timo Hübers. With Hamburg desperate for a first goal and Köln eager to build on a solid start, the visitors look better placed to control midfield against a leaky home defence. Our prediction: 1-2