Hamburg, who reached the Europa League semi-finals last year, can welcome back Paolo Guerrero for European competition. The Peruvian striker is currently serving a five game domestic suspension for throwing a water bottle into the face of a fan. He should partner Ruud van Nistelrooy in attack.
Neither team is going into the game in a rich vein of form. Hamburg have won just one of their last six matches, their most recent result being a home loss to Mainz.
And if Fulham want to taste European football again next year, they will have to win this tournament in May. A disappointing run of one win in seven games means they are out of the running for European qualification via the league.
However, the German side will be doubly motivated to progress this year, as the final will take place in their own Nordbank Arena.
Fulham are likely to pair Hungarian Zoltan Gera with in form Bobby Zamora up front.
Gera is excited about his side going so far in the competition, having begun their Europa League campaign back in July.
"I have not been involved in a game like this before," he said.
"On our day we are a match for any side. We will go there with the belief we can do well."
The Cottagers have already knocked out German champions Wolfsburg, and will go into tonight's match full of confidence, especially as the second leg will be in front of their own fans at Craven Cottage.
Robbie Blakeley
Source: DSG
