Union Berlin vs. SC Freiburg preview: Both sides aiming to edge closer to Europe | OneFootball

Union Berlin

Union were frustrated in front of goal again last weekend, with Die Eisernen failing to score for the third time in four Bundesliga outings as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Werder Bremen.

However, Steffen Baumgart's men went on to respond in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday, with a narrow penalty shootout win against last season's finalists, Arminia Bielefeld. 

Union currently sit just three points behind Eintracht Frankfurt in sixth, who occupy the UEFA Conference League qualification spot. Though they have struggled defensively, keeping only one clean sheet in ten matches this term, while conceding in each of their last four fixtures. At Stadion An der Alten Försterei, though, they remain a tough side to beat, losing just once in five home outings.

Team News

Baumgart has a few injury worries to contend with. Robert Skov remains the only absentee as he continues his recovery from a thigh problem expected to sideline him until mid-November.

Christopher Trimmel and Derrick Köhn are set to occupy the wing-back roles, while Oliver Burke and Ilyas Ansah could start behind striker Andrej Ilic in attack.

Predicted lineup - 3-5-2:Rønnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Kemlein, Köhn; Burke, Ansah; Ilic

Freiburg

Freiburg’s 2–0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last Sunday extended their winless Bundesliga run to three matches, as they were limited to just one shot on target at the BayArena.

Despite boasting one of the league’s lowest shot totals (89), Freiburg have found a way to remain productive, scoring seven goals in their last four games and at least twice in six of their previous ten across all competitions.

Julian Schuster’s men bounced back in midweek by beating Fortuna Düsseldorf 3–1 in the DFB-Pokal, securing progression to the Round of 16. That victory means the Breisgau side have now lost just one of their last four away fixtures.

Freiburg, however, have failed to beat Union in any of their last four meetings, losing twice in that time, and will be eager to change that narrative this weekend in Köpenick.

Team news

Daniel-Kofi Kyereh remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, while Philipp Lienhart is also unavailable, meaning Max Rosenfelder and Matthias Ginter are expected to partner in central defence.

Lucas Höler is likely to feature in an advanced midfield role behind striker Junior Adamu, with Merlin Röhl and Maximilian Eggestein anchoring the midfield.

Predicted lineup - 4-2-3-1: Atubolu; Kübler, Rosenfelder, Ginter, Makengo; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Höler, Scherhant; Adamu