Union Berlin vs. RB Leipzig preview: Die Roten Bullen eyeing another clean sheet

Union Berlin

Union Berlin are sitting in 12th spot in the Bundesliga table after winning four, drawing three and losing six of their 13 matches this season. Steffen Baumgart’s side have won just one of their previous six league games (D2, L3), with their only victory in that period taking place against St. Pauli on November 23. 

Union have failed to take anything from their two Bundesliga outings since that 1-0 success, losing 2-1 at home to Heidenheim before falling to a 3-1 defeat away to Wolfsburg last weekend. After losing at the Volkswagen Arena, Union will now return home to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, where they have failed to win their last three league matches since beating Borussia Mönchengladbach on October 17.  

Die Eisernen may fancy their chances of taking at least a point from Friday’s fixture, having avoided defeat in four of their previous five home games against Leipzig (W3, D1), although they have failed to score in their last two head-to-head meetings at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. 

Team News

Union are unable to call upon Andrik Markgraf, Dmytro Bogdanov and Robert Skov due to injury. Meanwhile, Rani Khedira is available for selection after serving a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Predicted lineup: Rønnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Kemlein, Khedira, Schäfer, Rothe; Burke, Ansah

RB Leipzig

Having collected 29 points from 13 matches, Leipzig head into matchday 14 in second spot and eight points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich. Die Roten Bullen have put together a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions since losing 3-1 away to Hoffenheim on November 8. In fact, they have not conceded a league goal since that defeat, starting their run of clean sheets with a 2-0 success against Werder Bremen before playing out a goalless draw with Gladbach.

Ole Werner’s side may have recorded another shutout in last Saturday’s meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt, but it was their efforts at the opposite end of the pitch that caught the eye. Yan Diomande netted his first senior hat-trick as Leipzig ran out 6-0 winners at the Red Bull Arena.

After maintaining their 100% home record, Leipzig will head on their travels with hopes of recording their fourth victory in eight away league games. The visitors have only won two of their six Bundesliga away matches against Union (D1, L3) - a 4-0 success in 2019 and a 3-0 triumph in 2023. 

Team News

Leipzig remain without Ridle Baku, Assan Ouédraogo, Viggo Gebel, Benjamin Henrichs, El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Romulo Cardoso. Attacker Antonio Nusa has joined the absentee list after he picked up an ankle injury in the win over Frankfurt.

Predicted lineup: Gulácsi; Nedeljković, Orbán, Lukeba, Raum; Baumgartner, Seiwald, Schlager; Bakayoko, Diomande, Harder