The two underachievers face each other at Imtech Arena on Friday evening, with Hamburg desperate to escape the relegation zone and Bayer Leverkusen hoping to revive their top 4 bid.

Hamburger SV remain the only side to have played in every Bundesliga season, but the impressive record could end as early as this year.

Following several narrow escapes, the Red Shorts are again rooted to the bottom of the standings, with only Darmstadt sitting below them.

Hamburg showed a great deal of improvement ahead of the winter break, winning three of last four league fixtures, but they have since suffered another dip in form.

Markus Gisdol’s side suffered back to back defeats to Wolfsburg and Ingolstadt in 2017, staying three points adrift of safety, and no doubts they will be under pressure when facing Bayer Leverkusen.

The good news is that Hamburg won last two matches on home soil, beating Augsburg and Schalke, and they are now 3.75 (11/4) to make it three on the bounce.

The hosts welcome back important midfielder Albin Ekdal from suspension, whereas Denis Diekmeier will deputise for the banned Gotoku Sakai.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mathenia – Diekmeier, Papadopoulos, Mavraj, Douglas Santos – Ekdal, Ostrzolek – N. Muller, Holtby, Kostic – Wood.

Bayer Leverkusen may not have been as disappointing as their next opponents, but they, too, are punching below their weight.

Die Werkself currently occupy ninth position in the overall standings, sitting seven points behind Champions League places, but there is still time to close said gap.

Bayer missed a good opportunity to edge closer to their top 4 rivals as they were beaten at home by Borussia M’gladbach, with the hosts squandering a two-goal lead in the process.

This just goes to show that Roger Schmidt’s men are completely out of confidence at the moment, and they will not have an easy job against hungry Hamburg.

January recruit Leon Bailey should be in contention, but top scorer Javier Hernandez has picked up an adductor injury and he misses out.

Stefan Kiessling should replace him in the starting line-up, while Lars Bender and Kevin Volland will be on the bench as they lack match fitness.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-2-2): Leno – Henrichs, Tah, Toprak, Wendell – Aranguiz, Kampl – Bellarabi, Calhanoglu – Kiessling, Brandt.