MX23RW : Monday, April 29 15:16:00| >> :600:206179:206179:
[monks data]
Union Berlin logo
Europa League | Round of 16 | 1st Leg
Mar 9, 2023 at 5.45pm UK
Stadion An der Alten Försterei

Union Berlin
3 - 3
Union SG

Juranovic (42'), Knoche (69'), Michel (89')
Knoche (75'), Giesselmann (85')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Okoh Boniface (28', 72'), Vertessen (58')
Vertessen (20'), Lynen (53'), Burgess (68')

Preview: Union Berlin vs. Union SG - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Union Berlin and Union SG, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After being paired together in the group stage earlier this season, Union Berlin will go head-to-head with Union SG for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The first leg will be played at Stadion An de Alten Forsterei on Thursday, with the return leg taking place in Belgium next week.


Match preview

Union Berlin's Rani Khedira reacts in October 2022© Reuters

This is unchartered waters for both clubs, who have already made it further than ever before in any European competition in their respective histories, with Union Berlin's previous best effort coming with a second-round defeat in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup.

Despite finishing second to their forthcoming opponents in Group D, head coach Urs Fischer will sense a serious opportunity to reach the last eight of the Europa League, with his side entering the tie as favourites to progress.

Having seen their Bundesliga title charge derailed by a winless streak of three matches in recent weeks, Die Eisernen are set to throw everything at this competition, as they look to qualify for the Champions League through either their league position or winning Europe's secondary trophy.

Their 3-1 win against Ajax on home territory in the previous round will undoubtedly have significantly boosted their confidence of making it far, but they will almost certainly be pushing hard for a first-leg lead for them to protect in Belgium next week.

Dante Vanzeir in action for Union SG on November 3, 2022© Reuters

Union SG, meanwhile, have made a similarly remarkable rise in recent seasons, having only achieved their first promotion to Belgium's top flight for 48 years at the end of 2020-21 campaign.

Les Unionistes subsequently became the first team in Belgian history to finish top of the table at the end of the regular season directly after promotion, although they missed out on claiming their first top-flight title since 1935 after finishing second to Club Brugge in the end of season playoffs.

While they still retain aspirations of going one better domestically this season, head coach Karel Geraerts will be desperate to build on topping their Europa League group prior to the World Cup by progressing beyond Union Berlin at the last-16 stage.

Having already beaten them once at Stadion An de Alten Forsterei this season, Geraerts will have every confidence that his players can deliver a positive result in Germany's capital on Thursday to set themselves up nicely for the return leg at Joseph Marien Stadium next week.

Union Berlin Europa League form:


Union Berlin form (all competitions):


Union SG Europa League form:


Union SG form (all competitions):



Team News

Sheraldo Becker in action for Union Berlin on October 13, 2022© Reuters

Union Berlin will remain without Andras Schafer due to a foot injury, with the Hungary midfielder facing a race against time to be fit before the international break later this month.

Niko Giesselmann and Jerome Roussillon both missed their side's 0-0 draw against FC Koln at the weekend due to knocks, but the duo should be available for selection on Thursday, especially for a match of such magnitude.

Fischer's biggest dilemma will be whether to restore Jordan Siebatcheu to his starting XI at the expense of Kevin Behrens, with neither forward scoring in any of their last six appearances in all competitions.

Union SG, meanwhile, may travel without Dennis Eckert Ayensa due to a muscle strain, but otherwise Geraerts appears to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.

Victor Boniface is likely to replace Gustaf Nilsson in attack after only being used from the bench during their 2-1 victory against Eupen at the weekend, with the Nigeria forward scoring three goals in five starts during the group stage.

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Leite; Juranovic, Thorsby, Khedira, Haberer, Roussillon; Siebatcheu, Becker

Union SG possible starting lineup:
Moris; Sykes, Burgess, Van Der Heyden; Lapoussin, Lynen, Teuma, Amani, Adingra; Vertessen, Boniface


SM words green background

We say: Union Berlin 1-0 Union SG

Both meetings in the group stage ended 1-0 to the away team, but we can envisage a reverse scoreline on Thursday, with Union Berlin likely to be able to keep their opponents at arms' length.

The two managers deploy very similar formations with an emphasis on remaining compact out of possession, so it may not be a match for the purists to savour. However, the home fans will be roaring their team onto unprecedented success, with Union SG potentially having to settle for keeping the tie alive heading into the second leg.



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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:508360:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12996:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Union Berlin vs Union SG

Union Berlin
84.2%
Draw
12.2%
Union SG
3.6%
196
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Isco is unveiled as a Sevilla player on August 10, 2022
Read Next:
Isco 'set to join Union Berlin on free transfer'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!