Hamburg looking to bounce back against leaders Munich

Huub Stevens' side enjoyed victories their first two games but suffered a surprise defeat against Vfl Bochum last week while Munich have won their three opening matches, scoring 10 times without conceding a goal.

 At least calm reigns for the time being at the northern German club now that Rafael van der Vaart has pledged himself to Hamburg and given up on an immediate move to Valencia.

 "I reckon I will be playing with Hamburg until the summer," van der Vaart told Thursday's Bild Zeitung. "But I don't know what the club is planning. Maybe Hamburg suddenly need 20 million in the winter. Then I would no longer be here after the winter break."

   Munich's injury worries appear to be easing ahead of the big game with Franck Ribery (calf), Miroslav Klose (knee), Marcell Jansen (ankle), Hamit Altintop (flu) and Jose Ernesto Sosa (hip) all taking part in Thursday's training session.

 Striker Luca Toni, who picked up a thigh injury in last weekend's 3-0 win over Hanover 96, trained on his own away from the rest of the squad.

 "We are in good from and want to win in Hamburg," said defender Philipp Lahm.

 Schalke 04 could be without Marcelo Bordon and Levan Kobiashvili for Friday night's match against Bayer Leverkusen. Bordon had to break off Thursday training because of a knee problem while Kobiashvili is struggling with a thigh strain.

 Coach Mirko Slomka said Kobiaschwili would most likely be absent as a recurrence of the injury was too high.

 Second-placed Arminia Bielefeld travel to MSV Duisburg Saturday, knowing a win will put them one point clear of Bayern, for 24 hours at least.

 Duisburg will be without striker Klemen Lavric, who has a stomach problem.

 Bochum, level on seven points with Bielefeld, travel to Hanover while in other Saturday action, bottom-club Hansa Rostock welcome Borussia Dortmund and Nuremberg travel to Energie Cottbus.

 On Sunday, newly-promoted SC Karlsruhe entertain defending champions VfB Stuttgart.

DPA