Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Union Berlin preview: Hosts in need of a win
Borussia Mönchengladbach
This weekend's hosts struggled to create chances in the first half of their 2-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, failing to generate any clear opportunities while conceding two big chances to their opponents.
Despite an improved second-half performance, Gladbach still couldn't produce a single clear-cut chance and recorded a lower xG from open play compared to Eintracht Frankfurt during that period.
A point does have to be outlined that coach Gerardo Seoane and his side have faced extremely tough competition in their first four league games, including last season's Bundesliga champions and runners-up.
Seoane might highlight that his side has generated the sixth-highest xG in the league, produced the fourth-most shots on target per game, and recorded the fifth-most touches in the opposition's penalty area.
However, Die Fohlen have only managed one win in their last 10 Bundesliga matches, with six losses and three draws.
The team has lost 12, drawn nine, and won just four of their last 25 league games while losing four and drawing three of their last seven top-flight fixtures.
Team News
Gladbach will be without attacking midfielder Yvandro Borges Sanches until December due to a cruciate ligament injury, as well as goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky, who is sidelined with a medial collateral ligament injury.
Simon Walde and Jonas Omlin are also expected to be unavailable until November, although Franck Honorat may make his return in the middle of next month.
Coach Gerardo Seoane may stick with an unchanged defence from their last match, which means goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas will likely be supported by a back four of Joseph Scally, Ko Itakura, Nico Elvedi, and Luca Netz.
Union Berlin
Union Berlin have had a strong start to the season, securing a 2-1 victory against Hoffenheim in their most recent match on September 21.
The visitors were especially dominant in the first half, controlling 60% of possession, generating over one xG, and restricting Hoffenheim to only two long-range shots.
Die Eisernen have won three of their five competitive matches this season. Though they've only scored five goals, they've managed to keep three clean sheets.
Despite their solid results, Union have allowed the second-highest xG in the league, raising questions about whether they can maintain their defensive resilience.
Manager Bo Svensson's team has struggled on the road, failing to win any of their last seven Bundesliga away games. In fact, they have lost 11, drawn six, and won only one of their last 18 away fixtures in the top division.
Team News
Union striker Ivan Prtajin is anticipated to remain out until November due to a knee injury, while goalkeeper Yannic Stein and defender Josip Juranovic are not expected to return until mid-October.
Striker Kevin Volland could also miss out, but he is close to returning and should be absent for only a few more days at most.
Wing-back Tom Rothe was substituted during his team's game against Hoffenheim and may be replaced in the starting lineup by Leopold Querfeld, who could play as a centre-back, allowing Diogo Leite to move forward into a wing-back role.
