Hamburg v Darmstadt: Bundesliga 2 match predictions, betting, odds and free tips

12.30pm Sunday

Bundesliga 2 looks set to be competitive this season but Hamburg will expect to be among the promotion-chasers and can make a winning start at home to Darmstadt.

Last season was a missed opportunity for Hamburg, who slipped out of the promotion places after winning just one of their last nine matches.

Despite the dismal end of the season Hamburg finished just one point behind second-placed Paderborn and one adrift of third-placed Union Berlin, who were both promoted.

It could be tougher this term because the three relegated clubs – Stuttgart, Hannover and Nuremberg – will be targeting an immediate return to the Bundesliga.

However, Hamburg are determined to make their presence felt.

They have recruited experienced head coach Dieter Hecking, who was released by Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of last season, and strengthened all areas of the squad.

Hamburg struggled in attack last season, scoring just 45 goals in 34 games, but should carry a greater threat after snapping up centre-forward Lukas Hinterseer and attacking midfielder Sonny Kittel from Bochum and Ingolstadt.

Hinterseer was Bundesliga 2's third-top scorer last season with 18 goals and Kittel arrives after a successful three-year spell at Ingolstadt, netting 22 times in 84 matches.

Hecking's clear intention is for Hamburg to be much more attack-minded and his charges should cause problems for Darmstadt, who were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2016-17.

Darmstadt were tenth in the second tier last season – 11 points adrift of the playoffs and 11 clear of the bottom three.

Another mid-table finish looks probable and it seems likely they will slide to defeat in their opening game.

Recommendation
Hamburg
1pt 7-10 Betway

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