Union Berlin vs. Stuttgart preview: Visitors targeting sixth straight win
Stuttgart will look to extend their winning run to six matches when they travel to Stadion An der Alten Försterei for Saturday's meeting with Union Berlin.
Union Berlin
Union are currently experiencing a poor run of form after losing their seven matches in all competitions. Five of those matches have taken place in the Bundesliga, including their most recent outing against Borussia Dortmund. Union came from behind to take a 2-1 half-time lead against Dortmund thanks to a Robin Gosens strike and a Leonardo Bonucci penalty.
However, die Schwarzgelben turned the contest in their favour in the second period to claim a 4-2 victory and extend Union’s losing run. The result ensured Union went into the international break in 13th place, leaving them just two points above the bottom three.
While Urs Fischer’s side will be desperate to return to winning ways, matters do not get any easier, with Union set to face high-flying Stuttgart, before playing host to Serie A champions Napoli in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
Saturday’s hosts may at least be able to draw inspiration from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last eight competitive meetings with Stuttgart (W3, D5). They also managed to complete a league double over die Schwaben last season after winning October’s away meeting 1-0, before cruising to a 3-0 home victory in April.
Team News
The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Josip Juranovic, Jerome Roussillon, Mikkel Kaufmann, Laurenz Dehl and András Schäfer.
Stuttgart
In contrast to their hosts, Stuttgart have enjoyed a superb start to the Bundesliga season. They are currently sitting in second place and one point adrift of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen after winning six of their seven league matches.
Sebastian Hoeness got his first full campaign as Stuttgart boss up and running with a dominant 5-0 win over Bochum, before his side fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat to RB Leipzig. However, since that disappointing loss, Stuttgart have gone on to claim five consecutive victories, including a 3-1 home win over Wolfsburg in their final game before the international break.
Stuttgart were trailing at the break against die Wölfe, but the in-form Serhou Guirassy netted a second-half hat-trick to secure all three points and take his Bundesliga tally to 13 goals for the season. As a result of those strikes, die Schwaben are currently the third-highest scorers in the top flight with 22 goals to their name.
With Union struggling to find their best form, Saturday’s fixture may be the opportune moment for Stuttgart to claim their first-ever Bundesliga victory over die Eisernen.
Team News
Nikolas Nartey and Josha Vagnoman are ruled out for the visitors, while there are also doubts over the availability of Fabian Bredlow due to a hip problem.