Hamburg bound for Bayern's den

With third-placed Hamburger SV coming to the Fußball Arena München this weekend, FC Bayern München can take a major step towards retaining the German title.

Painful memory
Despite a UEFA Champions League second leg against AC Milan looming, Bayern do not lack focus as they look to make it 12 Bundesliga wins in 12 in their new stadium. "We will not give anything away in the title race," insisted midfielder Michael Ballack, who will not have forgotten the way UEFA Cup contenders Hamburg celebrated after their last meeting on 24 September.

Lone defeat
The game at the AOL Arena saw the northern side claim a 2-0 victory against their southern rivals. Many supporters in Germany shared in Hamburg's joy, but the taste of defeat was a bitter one. That loss remains the only league reverse of the season for Felix Magath's team.

Huge gulf
With Hamburg lying two points behind second-placed Werder Bremen, and fully eleven adrift of Bayern, Magath believes a home win in Munich would remove Thomas Doll's men from the title race. "If we beat Hamburg on Saturday, the championship is off the agenda for them," he said.

'Different league'
Bayern have already avenged September's AOL Arena result with a 1-0 success in the last 16 of the German Cup, but with Hamburg yet to rediscover their fine autumn form since the winter break, most see another defeat on the cards. "Bayern are in a different league," said Hamburg's Sergej Barbarez gloomily.

Hamburg belief
However, sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer does not share the Bosnia-Herzegovnian international's pessimism. "Everyone expects us to get beaten," he said. "But with commitment and tactical cleverness we can take something from Munich."

Made to be broken
To make matters harder for Hamburg, they will be without the suspended Daniel Van Buyten and Raphael Wicky, while Bayern can count on Oliver Kahn and Bixente Lizarazu again. The cards are stacked in the champions' favour, but even terrific records like Bayern's are there to be broken.