Wolfsburg vs Hamburg preview - Wolves want eighth straight victory

Wolfsburg will look to extend their impressive run of seven wins in a row when they host Hamburg in a northern Germany derby on Sunday.

That run has moved the Wolves into the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal, close to the knockout stages of the Europa League and, most importantly, to within four points of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

It has also brought renewed enthusiasm to the club, resulting in the VW-Arena being sold out for Sunday's game.

"We've earned that with our performances over recent weeks," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking.

"I'm really loving the way we are playing. We're showing all the quality that we've got within us."

Hecking is not going to take anything for granted, though, especially not against northern rivals Hamburg, who have started moving in the right direction after a difficult start to the season.

"They're currently emerging from their shells and the atmosphere is more relaxed there now," he said.

Hamburg have picked up seven points from their games against top sides this season, drawing with Bayern and beating both Borussia Dortmund and, last weekend, Bayer Leverkusen.

"We've got to fight in every game the way we did against Leverkusen," defender Johan Djourou told his club's official website.

"I myself am in top form."

Djourou should be fit to take his place at the heart of the Hamburg defence alongside Heiko Westermann having shaken off a calf strain.

Marcell Jansen is a doubt with a thigh injury while, for Wolfsburg, Marcel Schafer will miss out for the next three weeks after pulling his thigh muscle.

He joins Ricardo Rodriguez on the sidelines with Timm Klose likely to deputise.