Union Berlin vs. SV Darmstadt preview: Relegation six-pointer to decide bottom three
Union Berlin will no doubt be fatigued following a heated loss in midweek to Bayern, whereas Darmstadt will want an away victory on Sunday but are winless since early October.
Union Berlin
Union Berlin are without manager Nenad Bjelica, who received a three-match ban for the incident with Leroy Sané in midweek, and will have to do with Nino Bule (assistant manager).
Without a win this calendar year, Union Berlin were unable to carry on the form which saw them win 2-0 against Köln in the last game of 2023.
Kevin Behrens, Union Berlin's top scorer with four goals, is without a goal since matchday two against Darmstadt.
Following defeat to Bayern Munich, coach Nenad Bjelica said: “I reacted and I should not have done. The red card was absolutely deserved.”
Team News
Union Berlin are without Josip Juranović who has a muscular injury. Both Rami Khedira and Kevin Holland are doubts with calf injuries and a concussion respectively.
Darmstadt
Darmstadt are currently bottom of the Bundesliga table on goal difference just below 1. FC Köln.
They have conceded more goals (46) than any other side in the Bundesliga and average around 2.5 goals conceded per game.
Despite this, goals have not been a major problem for "the Lillies" as striker Tim Skarke has netted six goals already this season.
With twenty-two goals this season, Darmstadt have scored more than all of their bottom five rivals.
Before the game against Union Berlin, Darmstadt's coach Torsten Lieberknecht said in a press conference: "We brought the strength we drew from Frankfurt into the training week. Especially as far as the physical is concerned, we want to oppose it on Sunday."
Team News
Fraser Hornby, Mathias Honsak, Braydon Manu, Marvin Mehlem and Aaron Seydel are all unavailable. Matej Maglica is a doubt due to a groin problem.
