Hamburger SV vs St. Pauli Prediction 03.05.2024

• Competition: Germany - 2. Bundesliga
• Date: Friday, 3rd, May 2024
• Kickoff: 17:30 UTC +1 / 18.30 CEST
• Venue: Volksparkstadion (Hamburg)

Seeking a 3rd-finish for the third consecutive season, HSV Hamburg will take on table-toppers St. Pauli in Friday's 2. Bundesliga clash.

Since their relegation in the 2017-18 season, Die Rothosen have shown a clear determination to rejoin the elite ranks, but poor results in the final stretch have been a brake on their promotion bid thus far. Over the past two seasons, HSV had excellent chances to return to the Bundesliga through the playoffs, but they have faltered on both occassion,s so this time they will be looking for "third-luck". Still, Steffen Baumgart's troops find themselves are currently in a tricky situation, trailing Dusseldorf by four points in third, which means they must win all remaining matches on the schedule and hope for a late collapse from Fortuna.

The first of three final hurdles that playoff-chasing HSV Hamburg must overcome will be against none other than league leaders St. Pauli, who are on the brink of ending a 13-year wait to return to the Bundesliga. Leading the 2. Bundesliga table with 63 points on the board, a seven ahead of third-placed Fortuna, Fabian Hurzeler's chosen ones could secure their long-awaited promotion to the German top-flight as early as this weekend, provided they outshine their rivals in the Hamburg derby or if Dusseldorf falters against relegation-threatened Nurnberg. All in all, it would take a real miracle for the Kiezkickers to relinquish their automatic spot with three rounds to go.

Hamburger SV vs St. Pauli Betting Tips: HSV to win DNB

With three rounds left to play and four points behind Fortuna Dusseldorf in third, HSV is fully aware they cant't afford to make any mistakes if they want to stay in contention for a promotion playoff spot. Despite league leaders St. Pauli standing in their way, Die Rothosen should enter Friday's battle confident of emerging victorious after winning the previous two Hamburg derbies in front of their own supporters (2-1; 4-3). Ahead of the big city derby, Steffen Baumgart's men sent a strong message to their rivals as they demolished Eintracht Braunschweig 4-0 last time out, snapping a two-game winless streak. 

Despite holding an unblemished record at halftime of the season (W8, D9), St. Pauli failed to maintain such momentum in the latter part of their 2. Bundesliga campaign, as they've already found themselves on the losing end four times in 2024, with three defeats coming in the last six away fixtures. Even if they come away empty-handed in the Hamburg derby, the Kiezkickers shouldn't sweat too much about automatic promotion, as they will face Wehen and Osnabruck in the final two contests of the season, a duo fighting for survival. Ultimately, we have complete faith in HSV's ability to finish the season on a high note, starting as early as this weekend against their city rivals.