Wolfsburg vs. Union Berlin preview: Can Die Eisernen return to winning ways?
After failing to win their last three Bundesliga matches, Union Berlin will be looking to bounce back when they face Wolfsburg on Sunday.
Morten Thorsby. | Photo: 1. FC Union Berlin |
Wolfsburg
After beating FC Köln 2-0 at the end of February, Wolfsburg began the month of March with a 2-2 home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt. Omar Marmoush gave Wolfsburg a 10th-minute lead before Randal Kolo Muani and Evan Ndicka both found the net in the space of four minutes to swing the first half in Frankfurt's favour. However, Wolfsburg managed to restore parity before the break thanks to Yannick Gerhadt's sixth goal of the season. With neither side able to find a winner in the second half, Wolfsburg had to be content with a point which leaves them with just one win from their last six games.
Despite struggling for victories in recent weeks, Wolfsburg have the chance to move within three points of the top six if they can beat Union on Sunday.
As a result of their draw with Frankfurt last weekend, Die Wolfe are winless in three home games. Niko Kovac will be concerned with the fact that his side have conceded nine goals across those three matches.
However, home matches against Union have proven to be a different story. Impressively, Wolfsburg have won all three of their Bundesliga home meetings against Sunday's opponents.
Team News
Maxence Lacroix, Pavao Pervan and Bartol Franjic are all ruled out through injury, while Maximilian Arnold will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Union Berlin
Union may be hoping for a much quieter outing on Sunday after being involved in a six-goal thriller against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in midweek. Die Eisernen came from behind on three occasions to draw 3-3 thanks to goals from Josip Juranović, Robert Knoche and Sven Michel. Union will head to Belgium on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, but first, they must negotiate a tricky away meeting with Wolfsburg.
After picking up just two points from their last three league games, Union's title charge has fallen away in recent weeks. A win on Sunday would move them back within five points of league leaders Bayern Munich, but their main target will be to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.
The fourth-placed side are currently two points clear of Freiburg, who occupy fifth positon. However, with Christian Streich's side set to face Hoffenheim at 13:30 CET, Union could slip outside the top four before they kick off at the Volkswagen Arena.
Team News
Union have reported no new injury concerns, although they are still unable to call upon András Schäfer due to a foot problem.