Why Hamburger SV could finally get promoted – for real this time

The 2. Bundesliga is as unpredictable as ever. But despite that, there is one crazy prediction that might actually come true this time. Hamburger SV could finally return to the Bundesliga.

This might sound like a joke for some. But there is a real chance Hamburger SV will not only be promoted this season but actually win the 2. Bundesliga outright. True, such a prediction seems crazy, especially considering that HSV play in the most competitive league in Europe at the moment. After all, just six points separate first-placed HSV and ninth-place SV Elversberg.

The margins for error are even closer when one observes the top six clubs. HSV are first, but only for the sake of goal differential. The Rothosen have 34 points, the same amount as second-placed 1. FC Köln and just two points more than third-placed 1. FC Magdeburg and fourth-placed 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Behind those two are Hannover 96 and SC Paderborn, with 31 points, followed by Fortuna Düsseldorf with 30 points and Karlsruher SC with 29.

Except for Magdeburg and Paderborn, all those clubs not only have ambitions of reaching promotion, but it is, in some ways, necessary for those teams for financial reasons. While HSV has the biggest budget, Köln, Düsseldorf, Hannover and Kaiserslautern have invested significantly and have ambitious squads built for promotion.