RB Leipzig vs. Union Berlin preview: Hosts looking to maintain perfect start

RB Leipzig

Leipzig have made a fast start to the new season, having recorded three consecutive victories in all competitions. They kicked off the campaign with a commanding 4-1 win over Rot-Weiss Essen in the DFB-Pokal, before edging out Bochum in their league opener. Leipzig then pulled off a sensational comeback victory to condemn Bayer Leverkusen to their first domestic defeat since May 2023. Die Roten Bullen found themselves trailing by two goals before Kevin Kampl gave them a crucial foothold in first-half stoppage time. Loïs Openda went on to net a second-half brace, including an 80th-minute winner, to fire Marco Rose’s side to statement win.

Having won both of their Bundesliga matches, Leipzig are one of three teams that are yet to drop points in the top flight this season. They will fancy their chances of claiming another victory on Saturday, especially as they completed a league double over Union Berlin last season. Leipzig recorded a 3-0 win in the away meeting in September 2023, before they clinched a 2-0 home win in February.

Team News

Assan Ouedraogo and Xaver Schlager are both ruled out with knee injuries, while Willi Orban is suspended.

Union Berlin

Bo Svensson has made an encouraging start to his tenure as Union boss. Svensson oversaw a Pokal win over Greifswalder FC, before his team played out a 1-1 league draw against his former employers Mainz 05. Union went on to clinch their first Bundesliga win of the season in their final outing before the international break. Benedict Hollerbach’s 34th-minute effort proved enough to clinch a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted St. Pauli.

Union will look to build upon that result as they head on their travels for Saturday’s contest. Having failed to win any of their last six away league games, Union will be looking to claim their first Bundesliga away win since beating Hoffenheim 1-0 in February. The visitors may be able to take confidence from the fact they have won two of their last three away matches.

Team News

The visitors are unable to call upon the injured Josip Juranovic,  Yannic Stein and Kevin Volland.