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

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Fürth have found life in the top flight tough on their return, losing every game since drawing 1-1 at home to Arminia Bielefeld on Matchday 2. The bottom club's latest defeat was the heaviest of the lot, with last season's Bundesliga 2 runners-up hammered 7-1 on the road at Bayer Leverkusen. Stefan Leitl has had a job on his hands to lift his men this week, and he might make some changes in order to do so. On loan Rangers striker Itten will hope for a return to the team, while midfielder Paul Seguin looks sure to start after getting over a cold. Norwegian attacker Havard Nielsen has put a winter bug behind him and could also regain his place, while defensive stalwarts Gideon Jung and Nick Viergever are edging closer to a return from injury. Sascha Burchert is set to return in goal with Marius Funk ruled out for six months with a knee injury.

Union have another quick turnaround following their UEFA Europa Conference League clash with Slavia Prague on Thursday, so expect some changes from their coach Urs Fischer. His team, however, is likely to closely resemble the one that earned a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig in their last Bundesliga outing. That means that evergreen Kruse should get another start, linking up in attack with nine-goal striker Taiwo Awoniyi. One switch from the Leipzig game could see club captain Christopher Trimmel returning at right wing-back in place of Julian Ryerson.

Match stats

Fürth have lost their last 12 Bundesliga matches, setting an unwanted league record in the process.

Team captain Branimir Hrgota has scored all three of the penalties he has taken this season.

The Clover Leaves picked up their only point so far this season on home turf.

Awoniyi has put his side 1-0 up five times already this season, more often than any other player in the league.

The Nigerian is the team's leading scorer in 2021/22, followed by Nico Gießelmann (three) and Kruse (two).

Union have taken just six points from a possible 18 on the road this season (W1 D3 L2).

Probable line-ups

Fürth: Burchert - Meyerhöfer, Griesbeck, Bauer, Willems - Christiansen, Seguin, Dudziak - Leweling, Abiama, Hrgota (c)

Out: Funk (knee), Hoogma (knee), Jung (match fitness), Kehr (knee), Ngankam (knee), Viergever (ankle)

Doubtful: Itter (not included)

Coach: Stefan Leitl

Union: Luthe - Friedrich (c), Knoche, Baumgartl - Ryerson, Khedira, Prömel, Gießelmann - Kruse - Becker, Awoniyi

Out: Dehl (operation)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Urs Fischer