Preview: Eintracht Braunschweig vs Union Berlin - prediction, team news, lineups

Eintracht Braunschweig and Union Berlin will go head-to-head for the first time in eight years, with the two clubs clashing in the first round of the DFB Pokal this Sunday.

Braunschweig already have two competitive matches under their belts following the start of the 2. Bundesliga season, while Union will officially begin their campaign with their trip to the Eintracht-Stadion.

Match preview

Braunschweig head coach Lars Kornetka arrived at the club last March and helped to steer the side away from a potentially disastrous relegation.

Kornetka's men picked up 11 crucial points from their final 10 matches of the 2. Bundesliga campaign, eventually finishing 15th and staying up on goal difference despite ending level on points with relegated Fortuna Dusseldorf.

With a full pre-season now behind him, Kornetka watched his side make an emphatic start to the new campaign, cruising to a 6-1 away victory over FC Magdeburg.

However, that result was quickly followed by a 1-0 home defeat to VfL Bochum, taking some of the wind out of Braunschweig's sails ahead of Sunday's cup clash.

In terms of their history in the DFB Pokal, there is little to shout about for the Lions, who have been eliminated in the first round in seven of the last nine seasons.

© Imago

Union Berlin are bracing themselves for an intriguing campaign following the appointment of Swiss manager Mauro Lustrinelli.

The 50-year-old made history over the last two years in Switzerland, taking FC Thun from the second division into the Swiss Super League, before leading them to a sensational title win.

Union, meanwhile, made headlines of their own towards the end of last season when Steffen Baumgart was replaced by Marie-Louise Eta.

The 35-year-old became the first female head coach in one of Europe's major leagues and helped ease the club's relegation concerns by overseeing two important victories.

Having since taken charge of Union's women's team, Eta has passed the reins to Lustrinelli, who now faces the demanding task of leading the men's first team.

The club have made some interesting signings over the summer, including a £3m addition of Michel Aebischer from Italian side Pisa, and a loan deal for former Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Lustrinelli will be hoping that those new arrivals can help Union make progress on the domestic front, including in the DFB-Pokal, where their run to the semi-finals in 2021-22 remains the standout achievement in their recent history.

Eintracht Braunschweig form (all competitions):

Union Berlin friendly form:

Team News

© Imago / Jan Huebner

When it comes to Braunschweig, the team are heading into Sunday’s game without Robin Heusser, who is struggling with a torn ligament.

Sidney Raebiger and Sidi Sane both have muscular injuries and are expected to remain on the sidelines.

The same goes for newly signed Frederik Jakel, who is building up his match fitness following a knee injury. 

Yann Sturm and Jan Urbich have been added to the Braunschweig squad over the summer, and they could start Sunday’s cup clash.

Union are also missing a smattering of names ahead of their first competitive outing of the season.

Oliver Burke, for instance, has an Achilles tendon problem and will not be available for selection.

Andrik Markgraf and Stanley Nsoki have knee and muscle problems, while Frederik Ronnow and Robert Skov are reportedly unfit.

Latte Lath should start in attack following his loan move from MLS side Atlanta United. 

Eintracht Braunschweig possible starting lineup:

Hoffmann; Aydin, Ehlers, Hoti, Sanchez; Flick; Di Benedetto, Marie; Opoku, Urbich, Sturm

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Klaus; Juranovic, Querfeld, van den Bosch, Rothe; Khedira, Kemlein; Jeong, Burcu; Latte Lath, Ansah

We say: Eintracht Braunschweig 1-2 Union Berlin

Eintracht Braunschweig will be up for Sunday’s game, given this is a rare opportunity to test themselves against Bundesliga opposition.

Nevertheless, Union Berlin have enough quality in their squad to pick up an away win and progress to the next round. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.