An always-improving Union Berlin side welcome Borussia Dortmund to the German capital in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon.
In a clash between two Croatian managers, Nenad Bjelica and Edin Terzic will lock horns for the first time in a clash between two of the most in-form sides in Germany to start 2024.
Match preview
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Despite only drawing with Heidenheim last weekend, Union Berlin's excellent start to the calendar year is continuing week-by-week.
While a pragmatic approach had been serving Union well under Bjelica, it was a thrilling 2-2 draw which transpired against a tricky Heidenheim side last time out.
Another point on the board means Union have taken 18 in the 11 games since Bjelica took charge late last year - a huge contrast to the solitary one they took in the 10 games prior.
That means they remain eight points clear of the drop zone after Koln could also only manage a draw last weekend, as relegation fears look to be fading.
The visit of Dortmund has often been one that Union have relished here at Der Alten Forsterei since their promotion to the Bundesliga, as the Berlin club have won three of the four encounters at this venue.
Goals have been in plentiful supply when these two teams have met as well, as their nine Bundesliga clashes have produced a spectacular 34 goals.
Six of those came in the reverse, when Dortmund inflicted a fifth straight defeat on a Union side that were tumbling down the table earlier this season, coming from behind to win 4-2 at Signal Iduna Park.
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Dortmund were involved in another high-scoring affair at home last weekend too, but this time the scoreline went against them, as they slipped up to Hoffenheim once again.
A 3-2 defeat means Dortmund have won just two of their previous six home encounters with Hoffenheim, conceding 14 goals in the process.
The ramifications of that defeat were lightened shortly after though, when Bayern Munich did their rivals a favour by beating Dortmund's closest challengers for fourth place RB Leipzig 2-1.
With Stuttgart moving six points clear in third and Eintracht Frankfurt stuttering below them in sixth, it appears as though it may be just a two-horse race for the final Champions League spot in the Germany this season.
Dortmund must quickly improve on a run of just one win in five though, as their superb work at the start of 2024 is beginning to come undone.
A tally of 11 wins from 23 league games so far this season is the lowest of any Dortmund side at this stage of a campaign in the post-Jurgen Klopp era, so it is no surprise their top four credentials are under threat.
Team News
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Union Berlin will be able to welcome back both Kevin Volland and Diogo Leite from suspension, as the pair missed the draw with Heidenheim last time out.
While Bjelica will be able to call upon one defender after a ban, another will miss out, as Robin Gosens's booking last weekend means he will be forced to sit this one out, with Jerome Roussillon the likely candidate to come in.
Apart from the suspension to the left wing-back, Bjelica has confirmed that he has a full complement to choose from ahead of this clash, with no new injury concerns to worry about.
The same cannot be said for Dortmund though, as goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will miss out with an adductor injury, but a return against Werder Bremen next week is on the cards.
Felix Nmecha will be absent once more for the visitors as he is yet to build up the match fitness required following his spell on the sidelines.
Dortmund will also be without a key player due to suspension, as Donyell Malen will serve a ban following a booking last week; Terzic has named any of Karim Adeyemi, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Julien Duranville as possible replacements.
Terzic will also be able to welcome Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule back into the fold this weekend after respective returns from injury and illness, and both are likely to start.
Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Ronnow; Doekhi, Vogt, Diogo Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Tousart, Schafer, Roussillon; Volland, Hollerbach
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Meyer; Sule, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Sancho, Reus, Brandt; Fullkrug
We say: Union Berlin 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund have found things a little hard-going of late, and a surprise home defeat last week may have dented confidence slightly ahead of a fixture against in-form opponents.
Union's early-season troubles have been left long in the past, and their steady rise up the table could continue this weekend with another positive result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
