By Michael Kryschak@michaelkryschak

HSV 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup and predictions

A full preview of HSV’s 2026/27 season — including summer transfers, pre-season results, predicted starting XI and expectations for the upcoming campaign.

HSV team.	Photo: Christof Koepsel / Getty Images.

After successfully returning to the Bundesliga, Hamburger SV are preparing for their second consecutive season in Germany's top flight. Merlin Polzin remains in charge after guiding the club through a successful 2025/26 campaign, but HSV face a difficult challenge this time around: replacing two key figures in Fábio Vieira and Luka Vušković while avoiding the dreaded second-season syndrome.

Pre-season preparations

Hamburg have enjoyed a largely encouraging pre-season, with their friendly matches producing plenty of goals. Across their summer preparations, the Rothosen have averaged two goals per game , with several players catching the eye ahead of the Bundesliga opener.

Among them are Otto Stange and new signing Patson Daka , who have both shown promising form in front of goal. Daka arrived from Leicester City in July and immediately joined the squad at their training camp in Austria. The Zambia international has been brought in to strengthen an attacking department that lost Robert Glatzel and Ransford Königsdörffer this summer.

Another player who has made a strong impression is Albert Grønbæk. The Danish midfielder initially joined HSV on loan but performed well enough for the club to make his transfer permanent in the summer. Grønbæk now looks increasingly capable of becoming one of the main attacking figures in Polzin's side.

The latest evidence came in the DFB-Pokal. HSV defeated third-tier side SC Verl 3-0 in the first round, with Grønbæk scoring twice before 16-year-old Louis Lemke completed the scoring. Lemke's goal made him the youngest competitive goalscorer in HSV history, beating a record previously held by club legend Uwe Seeler.

For Lemke, it was the latest step in what could become a breakthrough campaign. The teenager has already impressed Polzin and could be given opportunities in the Bundesliga despite his age.

However, there are two significant holes to fill:

Fábio Vieira has returned to Arsenal following his loan spell, while highly rated centre-back Luka Vušković has also left after his loan from Tottenham ended. Both were hugely influential last season, and replacing them will arguably be HSV's biggest challenge of the summer.

Transfers

HSV have been relatively active in the transfer market, strengthening several areas of the squad.

The most notable defensive addition is Sebastiaan Bornauw , who arrived from Leeds United on loan and could be tasked with replacing much of Vušković's production at centre-back.

In midfield, HSV have added Martin Adeline from Troyes and Bilal Nadir from Marseille, while Grønbæk's permanent arrival represents one of the most important pieces of business of the summer. Kofi Amoako has also joined from Dynamo Dresden.

Up front, Patson Daka represents the headline addition. The experienced Zambia international spent the previous five years at Leicester City and gives Polzin another option with pace and Bundesliga experience.

Hamburg's most recent addition came also from France: they've signed the experienced Terem Moffi from Nice. His strength and hight are most likley the key to replace Robert Glatzel who joined Wolfsburg.

There have also been plenty of other departures. Vieira and Vušković returned to their parent clubs, while Königsdörffer joined Mainz. Several other loan players also left the club.

The most money was brought in by the sale of Fábio Baldé to Straßbourg for around €7 million.

Overall, HSV have attempted to improve the depth of their squad without completely changing the team's identity.

Predicted starting lineup

Polzin has plenty of options, but one particularly exciting possibility could see HSV line up with a 3-4-3 formation.

Predicted lineup (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes – Capaldo, Bornauw, Torunarigha – Jatta, Lokonga, Remberg, Lemke – Adeline, Grønbæk, Daka

The most intriguing selection is undoubtedly Louis Lemke.

At just 16, the youngster would be taking on an enormous responsibility if he were to become a regular starter in the Bundesliga. But his performances in pre-season and his outstanding DFB-Pokal debut suggest that Polzin could be tempted to give him a significant role.

It all really depends on how Polzin could invision using Lemke once Miro Muheim is back from his injury. As one of the leaders and most consistend performers last season, the Swiss international will surely regain his place in the team once he's back.

Grønbæk should also be one of the team's key attacking players after his impressive pre-season performances. Daka provides a different profile up front, while Adeline could offer additional creativity behind the striker.

At the back, Bornauw has the unenviable task of helping fill the void left by Vušković. Nicolás Capaldo will continue to provide flexibility in the defensive line.

Prediction for the 2026/27 season

HSV's biggest enemy could be the second-season syndrome.

After their successful return to the Bundesliga, expectations will inevitably be higher. The club have also lost two players who were particularly important to their first campaign back in the top flight.

Replacing Vieira will be difficult, but the departure of Vušković could hurt even more. The Croatian developed enormously during his time in Hamburg and transformed himself into one of the team's leaders. His defensive ability, attacking power, composure and personality will be difficult to replicate with one signing.

There will at least be an emotional subplot surrounding the defence this season. Mario Vušković , Luka's older brother, is set to make his comeback after serving his suspension following his doping case. His return could provide another boost for the Hamburgers as they attempt to build a new defensive hierarchy.

Despite the challenges, HSV should have enough quality to avoid a relegation battle.

The promoted sides Schalke, Paderborn and Elversberg could all find themselves fighting near the bottom of the table, while Union Berlin, Köln and local rivals Werder Bremen could also be among the clubs looking nervously over their shoulders.

That should give HSV enough breathing room - provided they avoid a major drop-off from last season.

And there could be an even more optimistic scenario.

If Daka settles quickly, Grønbæk continues his development, Lemke makes the leap to senior football and Bornauw successfully fills the Vušković-sized hole in defence, HSV could potentially position themselves for a push towards the lower European places.

A top-half finish would already represent another successful season. But with the right development, Hamburg may have enough attacking talent to dream of something more.

Prediction: 9th-11th place.