Union Berlin vs 1. FC Köln preview: Both sides creeping into Bundesliga safety

Union Berlin

Union Berlin have been in poor form either side of their managerial change which saw Marie-Louise Eta replace Steffen Baumgart.

They have picked up one point out of their last five Bundesliga ties, including two back-to-back losses including an away 3-1 loss to RB Leipzig last weekend.

On the other hand, Union Berlin have scored in every home Bundesliga game since January against Dortmund so this will provide some hope coming up against a weak Köln defence. 

Alongside this, Union have the benefit of not having to face Köln's striker Ragnar Ache who is injured and missed the Köln - Leverkusen game last weekend where the Rhine side were unable to take their chances and lost 2-1 at home.

Previous encounters against Köln play in the German capital city side's favour too as they have never lost against Köln at home in the league since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019.

Ahead of the game, Union coach Eta said: “In such a phase like now in the season there is always going to be pressure somewhere. This is something that we and the players know. ”

Team news

Goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow is out with a groin injury and backup goalie Raab joins him in the injury list. Wooyeong Jeong is a doubt for Saturday's tie.

Predicted lineup (3-4-2-1) right to left:

Klaus - Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite - Trimmel, Khedira, Kemlein, Köhn - Schäfer, Burke - Ilić

FC Köln 

Köln failed to pick up any points against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, despite their high chance creation rate in a 2-1 loss.

This signals their first loss under head coach René Wagner who was announced to have replaced Steffen Baumgart in March. 

For Köln, they will hope to end a 11 game winless run in the Bundesliga but will need to work on their defence which has conceded at least two goals in their last five league ties.

Spearheading their attack is 19-year-old Said El Mala who will look to bounce back after a huge chance missed last weekend at 0-0 against Bayer Leverkusen in the first minutes.

Adding to this, the young Germany under-21 international will look to end a four game streak without an open play goal in his new position under René Wagner where he plays in a two striker position.

Ahead of the tie, Köln coach Wagner said: “I myself have experienced  in Berlin what sort of a force the team can conjure up. But we had a great game against Bayer (Leverkusen) and we want to work on giving us a great game against Union Berlin.”

Team news
Köln are without Ragnar Ache who is out for the rest of the season with an injury and Timo Hübers and Luca Kilian join him with season-long injuries. Isak Jóhannesson is out with a yellow card suspension.

Predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Schwäbe - Sebulonsen, Simpson-Pusey, Özkacar, Lund - Maina, Kauß, Martel, Kaminski, El Mala, Waldschmidt