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

Latest

Awoniyi is Union's leading scorer this season with eight goals, although he fired a blank last week as Die Eisernen slipped to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt. Max Kruse got the goal for Urs Ficher's side in that game, and the hosts will need both of their leading strikers at the peak of their powers if they are to improve on their recent run of results: Union have won just one of their last five league outings, drawing two and losing two. Still, playing on home turf should come as a source of comfort for Union, whose Matchday 10 defeat by Bayern Munich was their first at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei since 19 September 2020. Niko Gießelmann should return to the starting line-up after being rested last weekend, but otherwise Fischer has a full squad available to him.

The same cannot be said of his Leipzig counterpart Jesse Marsch, who must continue to make do without three first-team regulars in Yussuf Poulsen, Dani Olmo and Marcel Halstenberg, who all remain sidelined. Brian Brobbey began up top alongside Andre Silva in the 3-1 defeat at home by Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, but he was taken off before half-time and is unlikely to start here. Dominik Szoboszlai is the obvious choice to replace him in the attacking third alongside top scorer Christopher Nkunku, while Adams' grit and willingness to do the dirty work could see him return to the side against a famously compact and hard-working Union outfit. The Leverkusen defeat has left Die Roten Bullen in eighth going into the weekend, four points behind Freiburg in fourth. Currently nursing back-to-back league losses for the second time this season, Leipzig will be determined to return to winning ways to stay within touching distance of the top.

Watch: Nkunku's Top 5 goals

Match stats

Awoniyi is Union's record 13-goal Bundesliga scorer, with eight falling this season.

Kruse has scored against every current Bundesliga club, except Union. He's netted twice in four meetings with Leipzig.

Union, who were defeated 4-0 by Leipzig in their maiden Bundesliga fixture in August 2019, have only lost three of their last 30 Bundesliga home matches.

With five goals and four assists, Nkunku has had a direct hand in 37.5 percent of Leipzig's 24 Bundesliga goals this season.

Despite being the division's third highest scorers after 13 matches, Leipzig have made their worst ever start to a Bundesliga season.

Leipzig are one of five teams still to record an away win in this season's Bundesliga (D3, L3). They also lost their final three away matches of 2020/21, ending the campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Union.

Probable line-ups

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

Out: -

Doubtful: Behrens (match fitness)

Coach: Urs Fischer

Leipzig: Martinez - Mukiele, Klostermann, Gvardiol, Angelino - Adams, Kampl (c) - Nkunku, Forsberg, Szoboszlai - Silva

Out: Halstenberg (ankle), Olmo (thigh), Poulsen (calf), Saracchi (knee)

Doubtful: Gulacsi (not included), Novoa (not included), Orban (not included), Simakan (not included)

Coach: Jesse Marsch