[goldenHuddlestone]

Coach Huub Stevens has tried to play down the euphoria in Hamburg following their 10-game unbeaten run.

The northerners have cemented their second place the Bundesliga and reached the third round of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday thanks to a 3-1 victory over Freiburg.

Anything less than a victory over eighth-placed Hertha Berlin this weekend would be a disappointment for the home fans, but Stevens has warned them to take nothing for granted.

"We are staying realistic," he said. "All that matters is the position after 34 rounds. I don't care about anything else."

Stevens hopes that history will not repeat itself on Saturday. In his first game as Hamburg boss, Hertha recovered from one goal down to clinch a late win.

"We must not make the same mistakes again," he added. "After going up 1-0, we gave them too much space. This must not happen again."

Stevens is sweating on the fitness of David Jarolim, who picked up a knee injury in the cup win. Bastian Reinhardt is expected to return to the starting line-up following suspension, while Juan Pablo Sorin (unfit) remains unavailable for selection.

Meanwhile, Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness has called on his players to make amends for a disappointing cup exit on Tuesday.

Lowly Wuppertal handed the capital club a 2-0 loss which marked the fourth time in five years that Hertha have been eliminated by a team from the third division.

"We're the idiots of the nation," Hoeness said.

"We need to make up for that by playing well in the league. It's good that we have the chance to make amends just four days later."

Marko Pantelic (thigh) and Gilberto (calf) are expected to feature after overcoming their injury woes, while Lucio (knee) remains on the sidelines.