Union Berlin vs. Mainz 05 preview: Fischer returns to old stomping ground

Union Berlin

Union entered the winter break in high spirits after finishing 2025 with back-to-back victories. Baumgart’s side recorded a 3-1 home victory over RB Leipzig, before he oversaw a 1-0 away win over his former club Köln. As a result of those wins, Union climbed up to eighth spot in the Bundesliga table, leaving them five points adrift of the top six ahead of their first match of 2026. 

After beating Leipzig at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei last month, die Eisernen will head into Saturday’s contest with hopes of claiming back-to-back home league wins for the first time since September/October 2024. 

Union may fancy their chances of doing just that, considering they have won each of their last five home games against Mainz, including a 2-1 victory in the most recent meeting between the two sides in January 2025. In fact, die Eisernen have avoided defeat in each of their last eight head-to-head matches since they lost 1-0 at the Mewa Arena in February 2021. 

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Tom Rothe, Robert Skov, Tim Skarke and Dmytro Bogdanov. Meanwhile, midfielder Rani Khedira has recovered from illness and will be available for selection. 

Predicted lineup: Rønnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Kemlein, Köhn; Jeong, Ansah, Burke

Mainz 05

Mainz would have used the winter break as a chance to reset after failing to win their last 11 Bundesliga matches. In fact, they have won just one of their 15 league games this season, with their measly eight-point tally leaving them six points adrift from safety. 

Urs Fischer has at least made Mainz a tough team to beat since taking over the reins in December, overseeing a win and three draws in his first four competitive matches in charge. Fischer started with score draws against Lech Poznan and Bayern Munich in the Conference League and Bundesliga, respectively, before he oversaw a 2-0 home win over Samsunspor in Mainz’s final league phase game. 

After clinching a top-eight spot in the Conference League, Mainz wrapped up 2025 with a goalless draw against St. Pauli, representing their first clean sheet of the Bundesliga season. Fischer will now take his team to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, where he will get a positive reception after masterminding their first promotion to the Bundesliga, as well as securing Conference League, Europa League and Champions League qualification during his memorable time as Union boss.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Fischer will be looking to mastermind Mainz’s first competitive away win over Union since August 2002. 

Team News

Mainz will be unable to call upon Anthony Caci, Maxim Leitsch, Phillip Mwene, Robin Zentner and new signing Silas. Meanwhile, Philip Tietz, who has been brought in from Augsburg, is in contention to make his debut in Saturday’s fixture. 

Predicted lineup: Batz; Kohr, Bell, Potulski; Da Costa, Nebel, Kaishu, Amiri, Widmer; Tietz, Hollerbach