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

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Union have been in a downward spiral of late, losing their last three games, including a 1-0 reverse at Arminia Bielefeld last weekend, and coach Urs Fischer will be keen to stop that rot on Matchday 24 and revive their hopes of European football next season. With Robin Knoche back from suspension, a knock picked up by Dominique Heintz will not worry Fischer too much since he can make a straight swap in his defence. What is of more concern to the Union coach, however, is the form of Awoniyi, who scored the last of his nine goals so far this season in the 2-1 win over RB Leipzig on 3 December. The Nigeria forward should still lead a Union attack which has not found the back of the net in three games, supported by Sheraldo Becker and Sven Michel.

While Union have lost three in a row, Mainz are conversely enjoying the most purple patch of their season with last weekend's 3-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen following a draw at Freiburg and win over Hoffenheim, making the 05ers the league's most successful club in February. Jean-Paul Boetius and Marcus Ingvartsen both staked their claims for starts with late goals from the bench in Leverkusen, but Bo Svensson's may be reluctant to deviate form his winning formula. Dutch defender Jerry St. Juste remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, meanwhile.

Match stats

Mainz are currently the Bundesliga's most in-form team, the 05ers having taken seven points from their last three games.

Conversely, Union are the least successful side during the same spell having picked up no points in their last three outings.

Union have lost three Bundesliga games in a row for the first time in almost two years. The club's worst ever run in the top flight is four successive losses and dates back to autumn 2019.

Union have failed to score a single goal in their last three matches, an unwelcome record for Die Eisernen in the Bundesliga.

Mainz have failed to win any of their last six away games and have taken just one point in that sequence.

The capital side have won three of their last five Bundesliga games against Mainz. The Irons have only celebrated more wins (four) against Cologne in their young Bundesliga history.

Union have scored more Bundesliga goals (ten) against Mainz than any other club.

The hosts inflicted on Mainz their only home defeat of the current campaign when they won the corresponding fixture 2-1.

Union's Awoniyi and Jonathan Burkardt of Mainz are their teams' top scorers with nine and seven goals respectively. Neither have found the net since Matchday 14.

Probable line-ups

Union: Luthe - Jaeckel, Knoche, Baumgartl - Trimmel (c), Khedira, Prömel, Gießelmann - Becker, Michel - Awoniyi

Out: Endo (leg), Schäfer (knee)

Doubtful: Heintz (knock)

Coach: Urs Fischer

Mainz: Zentner - Bell, Hack, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Stach, Kohr, Martin - Lee - Onisiwo, Burkardt

Out: Dahmen (ankle), St. Juste (shoulder)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Bo Svensson