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The Foals got 2022 off to a flyer with a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich, but defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Rhine derby set them back and Ginter, who was left out of that fixture, was recalled to bolster the defence for the midweek DFB Cup defeat to Hannover, with coach Adi Hütter showing he and new signing Marvin Friedrich are not necessarily interchangeable and can start together. Zakaria also missed the Leverkusen loss due to a hip injury, but he was back on the bench for the midweek DFB Cup game and, after coming on as a half-time substitute, the Swiss midfielder could start this weekend, especially with Christoph Kramer still suffering the after-effects of a recent illness. Hütter also suggested that the pivotal Jonas Hofmann could also be back in the fold after his knee injury. US defender Joe Scally should continue on the left in place of Luca Netz, with Ramy Bensebaini not yet back from the Africa Cup of Nations after Algeria's early elimination.
Union were also in cup action in midweek, beating city rivals Hertha 3-2 to earn a place in the quarter-finals, and the after-effects of that intense capital derby could influence Urs Fischer's choices this weekend, with his side now looking serious challengers for a top-four finish following a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Matchday 19. Despite not having Taiwo Awoniyi, who is representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, Andreas Voglsammer and Grischa Prömel stepped up to the plate in style against the Sinsheimers, with the former also netting a stunning opener in midweek, and Fischer will likely place his faith in them once again, with the experienced Max Kruse slotting into the support role. Fischer is also buoyed by the return of Niko Gießelmann from injury, though the defender has Bastian Oczipka for competition down the left. The club also announced the signing of Andras Schäfer, but the Hungary international midfielder will likely take a watching brief on just his second day with Die Eisernen.
Match stats
Gladbach have won only one of five Bundesliga matches this season not featuring seven-goal top scorer Hofmann.
Stindl has scored 75 goals in 339 Bundesliga appearances, but only two so far this term.
Friedrich made 141 competitive appearances for Union, before switching to Borussia in the January transfer window.
Awoniyi has scored nine of Union's 27 Bundesliga goals in 2021/22. Kruse and Prömel are the club's next best for goals, with four apiece.
Kruse scored 25 goals in 77 competitive games for Gladbach across the 2013/14 and 2014/15 campaigns.
Union have lost just one of their five Bundesliga fixtures against Gladbach (W2, D2).
Probable line-ups
Gladbach: Sommer - Ginter, Elvedi, Friedrich - Lainer, Kone, Zakaria, Scally - Neuhaus, Stindl (c) - Embolo
Out: Bensebaini (Africa Cup of Nations), Beyer (muscular), Doucoure (not included), Hofmann (knee), Kramer (illness)
Doubtful: Hofmann (match fitness)
Coach: Adi Hütter
Union: Luthe - Baumgartl, Knoche, Heintz - Trimmel (c), Khedira, Prömel, Gießelmann - Kruse - Becker, Voglsammer
Out: Awoniyi (Africa Cup of Nations)
Doubtful: Van Drongelen (not included), Wszolek (not included)
Coach: Urs Fischer