HSV without their captain as in-form Stuttgart visit
VfB Stuttgart are Hamburger SV’s visitors at the Volksparkstadion on Saturday, 17 October 2026, in round six of the Bundesliga. HSV are 12th with six points after a 3-2 win at Hoffenheim, but they lost captain Nicolai Remberg to a cruciate ligament injury in that game. Stuttgart are 11th, also on six points, and have won their last two competitive games without conceding, 2-0 at Paderborn and 3-0 at Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 15:30, with Robert Hartmann the referee.
„Rambo ist nicht 1:1 zu ersetzen.“ – HSV coach Merlin Polzin on Nicolai Remberg
Predicted lineups: HSV vs Stuttgart
Remberg’s injury is the big news for HSV. He came off before half-time in Sinsheim and is out for months, so Kofi Amoako is expected to step into midfield. Daka and Jatta are also out, Albert Grønbæk is back in training but may not be ready, and kicker says Sambi Lokonga’s involvement is in the balance. El Ouahdi returns at right wing-back after a cold. Stuttgart are without Mittelstädt (heel wound), Al-Dakhil, Nartey, Tiago Tomás and Zagadou, and Seimen should return in goal. kicker expects Sebastian Hoeneß to rest one or two players after Wednesday’s trip.
Hamburger SV Team News & Preview
HSV’s win at Hoffenheim was their first away win of the season, but kicker noted that a red card was the turning point. Poulsen gave them an early lead, Hoffenheim led 2-1 after the break, and HSV turned it round against ten men, with Muheim making one goal and scoring the winner in stoppage time.
The defensive numbers are a real concern. HSV have conceded 15 goals in five games, including 5-0 defeats at home to Mainz and away at Leipzig, and they now have to replace Remberg, who Polzin says cannot be replaced like for like.
What works for or against HSV
- Came from behind to win 3-2 at Hoffenheim.
- 15 goals conceded in five league games.
- Captain Remberg is out with a cruciate ligament injury.
- Lost 5-0 at home to Mainz.
VfB Stuttgart Team News & Preview
Stuttgart have turned their season round. After league defeats at Hoffenheim and at home to Dortmund, they beat Paderborn 2-0 away and then won 3-0 at Slovan Bratislava, where Undav scored his first goal of the season. Hoeneß made five changes in Bratislava, so several of his first-choice players had a lighter week.
They have not conceded in their last two competitive games. Leweling, Undav and Führich give them pace and goals from wide and central areas, and that is the kind of attack that has hurt HSV this season.
What works for or against Stuttgart
- Back-to-back competitive wins without conceding.
- Five changes in Bratislava kept key players fresh.
- Played on Wednesday night and travelled back from Slovakia.
- Only six points from their first five league games.
HSV vs Stuttgart Odds
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Hamburg vs. Stuttgart Stats Comparison
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Hamburg Form, Stats & Data
HSV score one goal per game and concede three. They lost 5-0 at home to Mainz and 5-0 at Leipzig, and three of their five goals came at Hoffenheim, where they played against ten men for the last 25 minutes.
Stuttgart Form, Stats & Data
Stuttgart’s league numbers, 1.6 goals scored and 1.8 conceded per game, still reflect a slow start. The recent trend is better: they have not conceded in their last two competitive games and won 2-0 at Paderborn for their first away league win.
HSV vs Stuttgart: Prediction & Betting Tip
HSV have the worst defensive record of these two by a distance, and they have just lost their captain and midfield leader. Stuttgart arrive with back-to-back wins and clean sheets, and the rotation in Bratislava means their main players should not be too tired. I like Stuttgart to win.
The one thing that gives me pause is the turnaround and HSV’s home crowd. Stuttgart played on Wednesday night, kicker expects more changes, and their league record is still only two wins from five. HSV also showed character to come back at Hoffenheim. But with Remberg out and a defence that has conceded three per game, I think Stuttgart have too much.
I will be backing Stuttgart to win at 1.80 with Winz. If I had to name a score, it would be 1-2.