Union Berlin vs. Heidenheim preview: Die Eisernen targeting third straight win
Union Berlin will have the chance to claim a third consecutive victory when they welcome Heidenheim to Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Union Berlin
Union will head into Saturday’s contest in a confident mood after recording consecutive 1-0 victories. In their most recent outing against Hoffenheim, the referee showed a red card to either side in first half stoppage time. Stanley Nsoki and Kevin Volland both received their marching orders, leaving the two teams to play out the second half with 10 men. The contest was ultimately decided in the 84th minute when substitute Brenden Aaronson found the net to snatch all three points for Nenad Bjelica’s side.
Having won three of their last five league games (D1, L1), Union have moved up to 13th place and eight points clear of the bottom three. Despite establishing a sizeable gap to the drop zone, die Eisernen will be determined to add three more points to their tally this weekend. Impressively, the hosts have won their last four home games, while they have kept clean sheets in each of their previous three outings at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Team News
Volland will serve a one-match ban following his red card against Hoffenheim. Defender Diogo Leite is also suspended after receiving his fifth booking of the Bundesliga season.
Heidenheim
Heidenheim saw their eight-game unbeaten league run come to an end against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. Frank Schmidt’s side kept die Werkself at bay until Jeremie Frimpong broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Amine Adli went on to double Leverkusen’s advantage, before Tim Kleindienst halved the deficit in the 86th minute. However, Kleidienst’s seventh-league goal of the season ultimately proved to be too little too late as Heidenheim fell to their first defeat since the start of December.
Despite being left empty-handed, Heidenheim would have certainly been proud of their efforts against the league leaders. They will also be pleased to be sitting in 10th place with 12 matches left to play in their first-ever Bundesliga campaign.
Schmidt’s charges will now head on their travels, where they will be looking to extend their unbeaten away run to five matches. The visitors also have the chance to complete a league double over Union after recording a narrow 1-0 win in September’s reverse fixture.
Team News
Defender Thomas Keller and midfielder Elidon Qenaj are both ruled out with knee injuries.