Union Berlin vs. Hoffenheim: probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Union may have ended the calendar year with a dip in form, but 2022 will be remembered as the best in the capital club's history, and coach Urs Fischer will be keen on making even more history with his team in 2023. Wins over St Pauli, Hansa Rostock, St Gallen, Augsburg and Zilina during the winter break suggest Fischer's men have rediscovered their touch, but the acid test comes at the Alte Försterei on Saturday. Frederik Ronnow should return in goal after missing the last three games of 2022 due to a hamstring injury. Experienced left full-back Jerome Roussillon has been brought in from Wolfsburg but is not yet fit, although Julian Ryerson - capable of playing on either flank - has left for Borussia Dortmund. US striker Jordan is carrying a knock, so Kevin Behrens could partner Union's seven-goal top scorer Sheraldo Becker in attack.

Hoffenheim's last Bundesliga win came back in mid-October, when a 3-0 victory over Schalke lifted them to fourth. Since then, though, four defeats and a draw have seen Andre Breitenreiter's men slide to 11th, although the arrival of Danish striker Dolberg on loan from Nice has raised hopes heading into the new year. The 40-time Denmark international has been put through his paces in warm-up matches against Wolfsburg (3-2 defeat), Servette (3-1 win) and Mainz (2-2 draw) and looks set to lead the line, with Munas Dabbur and Andrej Kramaric vying for a place alongside the new recruit, with Georginio Rutter having joined Leeds United. American defender Justin Che could also be in with a sniff after being trialled on the right of midfield this winter and impressing Breitenreiter. Angelino and Robert Skov are the preferred duo at wing-back.

Match stats

Jordan has three Bundesliga goals in 13 Bundesliga appearances, but hasn't scored in seven games.

Union have been in the top five all season, although they have picked up just one point from their past three games.

The Berlin club have scored more headed goals (eight) than any other club in the Bundesliga this season; Hoffenheim are second with six.

Dolberg has scored top-flight goals in Denmark, the Netherlands and France.

Hoffenheim have won just one of their past nine Bundesliga games (Matchday 10, 3-0 vs. Schalke) and are on a three-game losing streak.

The Sinsheimers have scored more goals from crosses (seven) than any other team this season; Union are second with six.

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Probable teams

Union: Ronnow - Jaeckel, Knoche, Doekhi - Trimmel (c), Haraguchi, Khedira, Haberer, Gießelmann - Becker, Behrens

Out: Leite (suspended), Michel (ill), Roussillon (match fitness), Schäfer (foot), Thorsby (operation)

Doubtful: Jordan (ankle)

Coach: Urs Fischer

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kabak, Vogt, Nsoki - Skov, Geiger, Stiller, Angelino - Baumgartlinger - Dolberg, Kramaric

Out: Bruun Larsen (groin), Prömel (ankle)

Doubtful: Bicakcic (match fitness)

Coach: Andre Breitenreiter

About the clubs TSG Hoffenheim

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1. FC Union Berlin

An der Alten Försterei

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