Köln vs. Union Berlin preview: A major relegation affair

Köln

The Billy Goats are fighting for their lives and need a lot to go their way in order to escape the bottom two. A lackluster draw to Freiburg last week didn’t really help their case, as their offensive struggles continued.

Köln fans should also be rooting for Dortmund this weekend, who play their relegation rival in Mainz. The injury list is finally starting to clear up for Timo Schultz’s side, but it could already be too little, too late.

Schultz said, “The lads are giving everything in training and are ready for the weekend. - We're going to play on the front foot and be brave. We need to win the game, that is clear.”

Team News

Mark Uth, Luca Waldschmidt and Eric Martel are all expected to be available. Jeff Chabot is expected to start despite missing some training, while Dejan Ljubicic, Leart Pacarada, Davie Selke and Luca Kilian are out.

Union Berlin

A disastrous 4-3 loss to Bochum on Matchday 32 kept the capital club in the relegation fight and ended Nenad Bjelica’s short tenure as trainer. U19 coach Marco Grote is taking over on a temporary basis to salvage Union's disappointing campaign.

With games against the Billy Goats and Freiburg remaining, Union only need one more point to at least avoid a direct drop down to the 2. Bundesliga. They’ll be paying attention to the Mainz game along with Köln, as they’ll both be rooting for a Dortmund win.

Grote stated, “I'm looking forward to the task and am convinced that we'll manage to avoid relegation. I know our team well and know that if we join forces we are capable of picking up the necessary points.”

Team News

Union should have all first-team players available on Saturday.