St Paulivs.Union Berlin

St Pauli are fifth last in 14th place with 17 points and beat Heidenheim 2-0 on January 18, while the visitors are 13th with 20 points and are six points clear of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.

Match preview

The hosts were dominant during their match last time out, creating three big chances while facing just one, though it was just their second clean sheet in nine games.

Boss Alexander Blessin can still boast that his side are the league's second-best defensive team having only conceded on 21 occasions, but their return of 14 goals scored is the worst in the division.

In the reverse fixture, St Pauli were beaten 1-0 by Union Berlin on August 30, a closely fought clash in which neither side created a big chance in the second half.

Kiezkickers have been defeated in six of their nine most recent outings - winning the other three - and failed to scored five times in that period.

Blessin's side have only triumphed in one of their eight Bundesliga games at home this term, losing five and drawing two at Millerntor-Stadion.

Union Berlin managed to beat Mainz 05 2-1 on January 19 in a match that saw the victors create four big chances and produce over two xG while facing no big chances in the second 45 minutes.

The victory was head coach Steffen Baumgart's first while in charge of the German club - losing his first two - and it was also just the second time that his side have scored at least two goals in their last 12 matches.

However, Baumgart will still be concerned by his team's defensive record given they have conceded 15 goals in their past seven fixtures.

Union's win against Mainz was their first in their 12 most recent matches, with the club losing eight and drawing three in that time.

The visitors' record on the road is alarming considering they have been beaten in each of their last six games away from home.

St Pauli Bundesliga form:

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W

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W

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:

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D

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W

Team News

Blessin has had to deal with numerous injury absentees in the past weeks, and he will have to do so again on Sunday seeing as goalkeepers Sascha Burchert and Soren Ahlers, as well as centre-back Karol Mets, have been ruled out.

Centre-backs Eric Smith and Adam Dzwigala are also suspended, and these absences may mean that goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj will be shielded by Hauke Wahl, James Sands and David Nemeth.

Midfielders Connor Metcalfe and Robert Wagner will not be available, so expect Jackson Irvine and Carlo Boukhalfa to partner each other in midfield.

Johannes Eggestein could start in attack, and he may be supported by Oladapo Afolayan and Morgan Guilavogui given forwards Elias Saad and Simon Zoller are injured.

Opponents Union will have to contend with the absence of goalkeepers Frederik Ronnow and Yannic Stein, so perhaps Alexander Schwolow could start between the posts.

Janik Haberer and Aljoscha Kemlein featured in midfield against Mainz last time out, and the duo are almost certain to retain their places in the XI.

Striker Andrej Ilic is scheduled to return by the middle of next month, but while he is on the sidelines, Jordan Siebatcheu is likely to lead his side's attack.

St Pauli possible starting lineup:

Vasilj; Wahl, Sands, Nemeth; Saliakas, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Treu; Guilavogui, Eggestein, Afolayan

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Schwolow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Juranovic, Haberer, Kemlein, Skov; Schafer, Hollerbach; Siebatcheu

We say: St Pauli 0-1 Union Berlin

While Union have found wins difficult to come by away from home, it is difficult to overlook St Pauli's extensive injury list.

Written by

Lewis Nolan

Previews by email