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

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After a two-game absence, Jovetic made it to the bench for Hertha's 2-1 defeat at Leverkusen last time out and, although an unused sub against Die Werkself, is pushing Ishak Belfodil for a starting berth in attack. That was Felix Magath's first time in the dugout since taking the Hertha reins - having watched their 3-0 victory of Hoffenheim from isolation - and the 68-year-old will be all too aware of the challenge his side face in staying up. Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was injured early on at the BayArena and Marcel Lotka will again step between the posts for the future Borussia Dortmund stopper's fifth appearance of the season, and first taste of the derby. Niklas Stark is also an injury doubt so Santiago Ascacibar could get the nod at defensive midfield with Marco Richter coming in further forward.

Union had Awoniyi to thank for collecting all three points against Cologne on Matchday 28, ending their three-game run without victory. That put Union firmly back in the European hunt and they go into the weekend just three points off the top-six. Urs Fischer's men will be buoyed by two wins from two over their city rivals already this season. They not only swept Hertha aside 2-0 thanks to goals from Awoniyi and captain Christopher Trimmel on Matchday 12, but also claimed a 3-2 win at the Olympiastation in the last-16 of the DFB Cup. They have enforced changes of their own, though, with Paul Jaeckel suspended and Andreas Luthe still working his way back from fitness. Dominique Heintz is expected to replace the former in a three-man defence, while Frederik Rönnow will continue in goal if Luthe isn't fit enough to feature.

Match stats

Jovetic is Hertha's biggest goal threat this season, with six goals and one assist in his 16 Bundesliga appearances.

Magath has faced Hertha 22 times as a Bundesliga coach (W8, D8, L6).

Hertha were also second bottom in the table after 28 matches in 2011/12, when they were relegated via the play-offs.

Awoniyi is Union's record Bundesliga scorer with 17 goals, including a career-best 12 this season.

Union's Haraguchi represented Hertha 106 times in all competitions between July 2014 and January 2018. He is set to make his 145th Bundesliga appearance.

Die Eisernen have already beaten Hertha twice this season, in the league and DFB Cup.

Probable line-ups

Hertha: Lotka - Klünter, Boyata (c), Kempf, Mittelstädt - Ascacibar - Richter, Darida, Tousart, Serdar - Belfodil

Out: Schwolow (thigh)

Doubtful: Jarstein (knee), Pekarik (ankle), Plattenhardt (muscular), Stark (ankle)

Coach: Felix Magath

Union: Ronnow - Baumgartl, Knoche, Heintz - Khedira - Trimmel (c), Haraguchi, Prömel, Gießelmann - Becker, Awoniyi

Out: Jaeckel (suspended)

Doubtful: Luthe (muscular), Ujah (ill)

Coach: Urs Fischer

About the clubs Hertha Berlin

Olympiastadion

1. FC Union Berlin

An der Alten Försterei

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