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

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Union have been one of the surprise packages of the season so far, and begin the weekend just a point outside the top four. Taiwo Awoniyi's taken centre stage with seven goals in nine Bundesliga appearances, including four across his last three. The former Liverpool striker has in fact found the net in all but three top-flight assignments for a Union side that's only lost once this term and with a four-game unbeaten run to uphold. Awoniyi was also on target in the DFB Cup in midweek, scoring in extra-time before Kevin Behrens put away his second of the contest to seal Die Eisernen's progress to the last 16 against Waldhof Mannheim. Head coach Urs Fischer made wholesale changes for the tie, meaning his choice XI should be fit as a fiddle come kick-off at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei.

Not that Bayern will be paying too much attention to the Union teamsheet. The record champions have been in blistering form in recent weeks, but the wheels came off in the DFB Cup on Wednesday as the Bundesliga leaders fell to a shock 5-0 loss at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite the return of Alphonso Davies and Leon Goretzka, Bayern were a shadow of the team that had thrashed Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and Hoffenheim by an aggregate score of 13-1 in their previous three fixtures. Indeed, it was the first time after a European record 85 competitive games, dating back to a goalless stalemate with RB Leipzig in February 2020, that Lewandowski & Co. failed to fire. A backlash is expected, whether head coach Julian Nagelsmann returns to the touchline following illness or not.

Match stats

Awoniyi is enjoying career-best form, with 11 goals in 15 competitive matches for the season. He's averaging one every 93 minutes in the Bundesliga.

Union have only lost two of their last 12 Bundesliga matches dating back to mid-May (W5, D5).

Die Eisernen are unbeaten in 21 home Bundesliga games. Augsburg were the last team to come away from the Stadion an der Alten Försterei with all three points, on 19 September 2019.

Lewandowski is poised to make his 360th Bundesliga appearance. He has registered 287 goals and 72 assists, including a league-leading 10 strikes this term.

Six goals after nine rounds of fixtures marks a career-best start to a Bundesliga season for Serge Gnabry.

Bayern have scored at least once in their last 56 Bundesliga matches in a row.

Probable line-ups

Union: Luthe - Jaeckel, Knoche, Baumgartl - Trimmel (c), Möhwald, Prömel, Gießelmann - Haraguchi - Kruse, Awoniyi

Out: -

Doubtful: Friedrich (not included), Khedira (groin), Van Drongelen (not included)

Coach: Urs Fischer

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Upamecano, Süle, Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka - Gnabry, Müller, Sane - Lewandowski

Out: Choupo-Moting (thigh), Ulreich (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann