Union Berlin vs. Wolfsburg preview: Marie-Louise Eta set to make history

Union Berlin

Eta, who will become the head coach of Union’s women’s team this summer, has been placed in charge of the men’s side until the end of the season following the decision to sack Steffen Baumgart. The 54-year-old was dismissed following last weekend’s 3-1 away defeat to Hoffenheim, representing the club’s seventh loss in 11 matches. 

While they have won just two games in 2026 (D5, L7), the 11th-placed side still boasts a healthy seven-goal buffer to the bottom three with five games left to play. Having stepped up from her role as Under-19s boss, Eta has been tasked with steering Union to mathematical safety, starting with a home clash against relegation-threatened Wolfsburg.

Die Eisernen have won just one of their previous six outings at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, although they can take inspiration from their impressive home record against Wolfsburg. Union, who have never lost at home to Wolfsburg, have won each of their last five meetings with Wolfsburg in front of their supporters, including a narrow 1-0 win in their most recent encounter in the capital in April 2025. 

Team News

Union are unable to call upon the injured trio of David Preu, Matheo Raab and Wooyeong Jeong.

Predicted lineup: Rønnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Kemlein, Köhn; Schäfer, Ansah; Ilić 

Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg are running out of games to halt their poor run of form and make a bid to escape the bottom two. Having mustered 21 points from 29 games, die Wölfe are languishing in 17th spot and four points adrift of St. Pauli in the relegation playoff position. Complete safety appears to be a pipedream, with seven points separating them from Werder Bremen ahead of matchday 30.

Wolfsburg travel to the capital on the back of a narrow 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt at the Volkswagen Arena. Dženan Pejčinović's 97th-minute effort was nothing more than a late consolation as Dieter Hecking’s side fell to a third consecutive defeat. In fact, they have now lost six of their last seven games and have not won in any of their previous 12 Bundesliga outings. Their last win came in January’s home encounter against St. Pauli, while their most recent success on the road came against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the club’s final away outing of 2025. 

While they may be struggling for inspiration, Wolfsburg can at least take confidence from the fact they beat Union 3-1 in December’s reverse fixture.

Team News

Wolfsburg are without the services of Rogério, Kilian Fischer, Jenson Seelt, Cleiton, Bence Dárdai, Mattias Svanberg, Kevin Paredes and Jonas Wind. As for Saël Kumbedi, he has recovered from injury and is available for selection, while Konstantinos Koulierakis is back from a one-match ban. 

Predicted lineup: Grabara; Belocian, Jenz, Koulierakis; Mæhle, Majer, Vini Souza, Eriksen, Zehnter; Pejčinović, Amoura