Borussia Monchengladbach will hope to avoid a setback in their quest for European football on Saturday when they travel to Stadion An der Alten Forsterei to take on Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
Union are sixth last in 13th place with 24 points but beat Hoffenheim 4-0 last Saturday, whereas the visitors are eighth with 31 points and drew 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt on February 8.
Match preview
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The home team dominated proceedings against Hoffenheim, creating nearly three xG, generating six big chances and producing 17 of their 22 attempts from inside the penalty area.
Union scored as many goals last weekend as they had managed in their prior seven games, and their six big chances represents 15% of the total number they have created all season in the league.
Though head coach Steffen Baumgart's side are in the bottom half, they are already 10 points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the league's relegation playoff spot, and should be confident of avoiding demotion to the 2. Bundesliga.
Die Eisernen's victory against Hoffenheim was their second in four matches, and the seven points they have picked up in that time is more than they earned in their prior 11 in the top flight.
Though Union have only been victorious once in their past seven outings at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, they have only been beaten twice in their 10 matches at home in 2024-25.
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As for Borussia Monchengladbach, they were arguably fortunate to have taken any points against Eintracht Frankfurt considering the Eagles squandered a number of opportunities close to the penalty spot and hit the woodwork on two occasions.
The visitors' defence has looked vulnerable at times this campaign, with the club having faced 39 xG this season in the league, the second most of any team in the Bundesliga.
Die Fohlen managed to earn all three points when they beat Union 1-0 in the reverse fixture on September 28, and it was their first victory against the club in nine attempts, with Union winning five of those meetings.
Boss Gerardo Seoane's side are undefeated in three Bundesliga games – emerging triumphant in two – and their streak means just five points separates them from fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
However, while Borussia Monchengladbach have won two of their four most recent away matches in the league, they have lost five, drawn two and won just two of their last nine Bundesliga outings on the road.
Team News
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Union Berlin will be without suspended full-back Christopher Trimmel, as well as centre-back Kevin Vogt, so expect Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite to be flanked by Josip Juranovic and Robert Skov in the backline.
Janik Haberer and Rani Khedira may start in a double pivot considering midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein is set to miss out on action until late February.
Winger Benedict Hollerbach scored twice against Hoffenheim but has been ruled out until early March due to a foot injury, and his absence could mean Tim Skarke is given a start out wide.
Borussia Monchengladbach's injury list is relatively small, but they will have to find solutions in the middle of the pitch and up front considering winger Franck Honorat and midfielder Rocco Reitz are unavailable.
Julian Weigl has often partnered Reitz but with the latter injured, Philipp Sander may come into the XI.
Tim Kleindienst is almost certain to start as the visitors' striker, and he is likely to be supported by wide forwards Nathan N'Goumou and Robin Hack.
Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Ronnow; Juranovic, Doekhi, Leite, Skov; Haberer, Khedira; Jeong, Ljubicic, Skarke; Ilic
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Scally, Itakura, Friedrich, Ullrich; Sander, Weigl; N'Goumou, Stoger, Hack; Kleindienst
We say: Union Berlin 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Union's form has significantly improved in recent matches and they will be confident they can earn another positive result.
Additionally, Borussia Monchengladbach have ridden their luck at the back at times this season, and they could come unstuck on the weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
