Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Union Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 29 February 2024, 17:43
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

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 an Union side that was tumbling down the table earlier this season, coming from behind to win 4-2 at Signal Iduna Park.

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.

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:

W

L

D

W

W

D

Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga form:

W

W

D

W

D

L

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):

W

D

W

D

D

L

Team News

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 though, 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.

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League is back and that can only mean one thing. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City are confident of agreeing a lucrative new contract with Erling Haaland after Pep Guardiola agreed to stay, talkSPORT understands. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to build on their impressive win over Osasuna before the international break when they resume their domestic campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a mixed injury update ahead of the Reds' imminent showdowns with Southampton in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The January transfer window is an opportunity for teams to fix their summer spending on the cheap, or in these cases, for free. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz may have transformed himself at Arsenal - but he's not on the level of his Premier League rivals. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Reece James has suggested that he is remaining upbeat over his latest hamstring injury. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Mohamed Salah is one of the world's best players and he has become one of the top five Liverpool goalscorers ever. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Phil Foden is a superstar for Manchester City, but he still opts to wear an unconventional number at his boyhood club. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The latest instalment of the Basque derby will take place at San Mames on Sunday night, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming rivals Real Sociedad for what should be a highly-charged affair. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa will be looking to extend a Premier League feat when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Having entered the international break with a run of three straight defeats, both Torino and Monza will try to stop the rot on Sunday, when they lock horns in Turin. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Third kits in the Premier League have caught the eye this season and you will certainly notice a unique difference from typical strips… 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Premier League home clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon is their "biggest game of the season" so far, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will attempt to bounce back from successive defeats in La Liga when they continue their campaign with a fixture against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Ramon on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will endeavour to maintain or increase their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table when they pit their wits against Southampton on Sunday at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 talksport.com There can't be many things better for a football fan than to see your side score within the first minute of a game. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fifth will welcome fourth in an intriguing La Liga contest on Sunday afternoon, with Villarreal making the trip to El Sadar Stadium to tackle Osasuna. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Jose Mourinho once confirmed he received an offer from the FA to become England manager after leaving his first spell as Chelsea boss. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle have the chance to close in on the Premier League's top four on Monday when they host West Ham, live on talkSPORT. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by 19 places and 24 points in the Premier League table, Southampton and Liverpool cross paths in Sunday's Premier League showdown at St Mary's Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is expecting to be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for Sunday's Premier League bout with Southampton at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it successive victories in La Liga when they resume their campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League has been treated to the talents of some of the best African footballers of all time over the years. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton head coach Russell Martin will be forced into at least two changes for Sunday's Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City face another legal dispute with the Premier League after amendments to top-flight sponsorship rules were voted through. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to continue their sensational unbeaten streak, Lille will welcome a struggling Rennes outfit to Decathlon Arena on Sunday afternoon for a Ligue 1 clash. 22 November 2024 talksport.com If Micah Richards had a glimmer of hope he would replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host, he is sorely mistaken. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pedro Porro's agent is reportedly 'convinced' that Ruben Amorim will attempt to bring the Tottenham Hotspur defender to Manchester United following his arrival at Old Trafford.