Preview: SV Darmstadt 98 vs. Union Berlin - prediction, team news, lineups

SV Darmstadt 98 will be hoping to bounce back from their opening matchday defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt when they host Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, got off to a superb start to the new season by beating Mainz 05 by four goals to one on Sunday.

Match preview

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Darmstadt's first match in the Bundesliga for over six years may have ended in defeat, but they will have taken plenty of heart from limiting Frankfurt to only one goal at Deutsche Bank Park.

France striker Randal Kolo Muani - who has recently been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain - proved to be the difference between the two teams on the day, with the 24-year-old's 40th-minute strike enough to provide his side with all three points.

Darmstadt actually had one more shot than the hosts across the course of the encounter, although they did struggle to regain possession at times, with Torsten Lieberknecht's side enjoying just 38% of the ball.

Lieberknecht will expect to see that figure rise at Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor this weekend, especially against a team who are more happy to soak up possession themselves, but he will be acutely aware of the huge test facing them.

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Indeed, Union Berlin provide the model template for teams rising through the divisions, having only been promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history in 2019.

Yet within the space of four years, Die Eisernen have managed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history after finishing fourth last season. That accomplishment was certainly no fluke, either, having finished just one point outside the top four at the end of the previous campaign.

Unsurprisingly, Urs Fischer has been on a recruitment overdrive during the summer transfer window, with the likes of Robin Gosens, Kevin Volland and Lucas Tousart set to provide some invaluable experience having all competed in Europe's elite competition during their careers.

One man who certainly seems to be getting better with age is Kevin Behrens, who blasted in a hat-trick during Union Berlin's 4-1 thrashing of Mainz on the opening matchday. Like many of his teammates, the 32-year-old will compete in the Champions League for the first time this season, but in the meantime they will be hoping for maximum points before September's international break.

Team News

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Darmstadt were forced to substitute Mathias Honsak and Matej Maglica due to knocks sustained against Frankfurt on Sunday, with both players unlikely to return to full fitness in time to start this weekend.

Frank Ronstadt and Aaron Seydel are both expected to remain out of action due to their own injury problems, with new signings Bartol Franjic and Luca Pfeiffer potentially set to earn their first league starts for the club.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, have a serious lack of options in midfield, with Rani Khedira, Janik Haberer, Andras Schafer and Tousart all doubts to make the trip to Darmstadt.

As such, Brendan Aaronson and Alex Kral are set to retain their places within the visitors' engine room after both making their first league starts for the club against Mainz, with Fischer unlikely to see any reason to change a winning formula.

SV Darmstadt 98 possible starting lineup:

Schuhen; Klarer, Zimmermann, x; Karic, Franjic, Holland, Nurnberger; Vilhelmsson, Pfeiffer; Hornby

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Trimmel, Doekhi, Knoche, Leite, Roussillon; Laidouni, Kral, Aaronson; Fofana, Behrens

We say: SV Darmstadt 98 0-2 Union Berlin

While Darmstadt competed well to limit Frankfurt to a one-goal victory on the opening weekend, scoring goals for the newly-promoted side could be a major issue at this level.

As such, we expect Union Berlin to have too much nous and quality for them on Saturday, with Fischer's side hoping to fly out of the traps just as they did last season.

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