Union Berlin vs. Wolfsburg: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

At 33, Kruse is enjoying his second campaign with Union and has had a direct hand in seven goals across 10 competitive appearances this season. The most recent of those was an assist for surprise package Taiwo Awoniyi, whose two goals in the space of four second-half minutes saw Die Eisernen come from behind to win 2-1 at Mainz last time out. That took his Bundesliga total for the campaign to five in seven outings - only behind Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland and Patrik Schick - and saw him called up by Nigeria to earn his first senior cap. Urs Fischer's men have 12 points from their first seven matchdays, having only lost once, meaning victory would see them go ahead of early-season pace-setters Wolfsburg. Timo Baumgartl remains the only major doubt but the centre-back has returned to training this week. Captain and set-piece specialist Christopher Trimmel is also expected to come back into the starting line-up.

Kruse's sole season with Wolfsburg saw them finish in eighth place, which is where they could slip to this matchday if they fail to arrest their run of two straight defeats and three games without a win in the league. That comes on the back of their perfect start of four straight victories and only one goal conceded. It's a first real test for coach Mark van Bommel, who will also need fellow Dutchman Wout Weghorst to snap his two-game goal drought if the Wolves are to return to winning ways and stay ahead of their Matchday 8 opponents. As an added incentive, victory would also see them draw level with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the top before their meeting on Sunday. Wolfsburg will have to make at least one change to the side that lost 3-1 to Borussia Mönchengladbach, with Maxence Lacroix suspended after being sent off. Sebastiaan Bornauw should slot right in alongside John Brooks in central defence.

Match stats

Awoniyi's scored five times this season and has 11 in the Bundesliga all told, but is two games against Wolfsburg without a goal.

Kruse registered nine goals and 12 assists in 43 competitive appearances for Wolfsburg in 2015/16.

Union have never lost at home to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga (two 2-2 draws), but are also winless in their six competitive meetings with the Wolves.

Weghorst has scored three times in four meetings with Union - as many Bundesliga goals as he's scored so far this season.

Maximilian Arnold is set to equal Diego Benaglio's club record of 259 Bundesliga appearances.

Wolfsburg last lost three straight Bundesliga matches in December 2019 - January 2020.

Probable line-ups

Union: Luthe - Friedrich, Knoche, Jaeckel - Trimmel (c), Prömel, Khedira, Gießelmann - Haraguchi - Awoniyi, Kruse

Out: -

Doubtful: Baumgartl (concussion), Wszolek (foot)

Coach: Urs Fischer

Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) - Mbabu, Bornauw, Brooks, Roussillon - Guilavogui, Arnold - Baku, Waldschmidt, L. Nmecha - Weghorst

Out: Bialek (knee), Gerhardt (foot), Lacroix (suspended), Otavio (ankle), Schlager (knee), William (knee)

Doubtful: Mehmedi (muscular)

Coach: Mark van Bommel