Union Berlin host Bayern Munich in a top-of-the-table clash in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Both sides head into the weekend's meeting level on 10 points after four matches, with the reigning champions ahead on goal difference.
Match preview
© Reuters
Indeed, Union Berlin continue to go from strength to strength under the tutelage of Urs Fischer, who guided Die Eisernen to their first ever promotion to the Bundesliga in his first season in charge in 2018-19.
With 11th, seventh and fifth-placed finishes in Germany's top flight since gaining promotion, Union Berlin's upwards trajectory is clear for all to see and that has shown no signs of halting in the early weeks of the current campaign.
Losing their top goalscorer from last season in the shape of Taiwo Awoniyi's £18m move to Nottingham Forest could have been a major blow to their aspirations having only missed out on Champions League qualification by a point on the final day of last season, but the £5m signing of Jordan Siebatcheu as Awoniyi's replacement looks an incredibly shrewd piece of business so far.
The former Young Boys forward has developed an instant connection with Sheraldo Becker, who benefitted from his strike partner's threat to score twice in last weekend's 6-1 routing away to Schalke 04.
That brace came after Morten Thorsby had scored his first goal on his first start for the club to break the deadlock after only six minutes, with substitute Sven Michel scoring twice in the latter stages after Janik Haberer's thunderbolt from distance had given the visitors breathing space moments before the half-time interval.
Having beaten RB Leipzig at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei already this season, Fischer and his players will have real belief that they can cause a major upset against Bayern and move top of the table on Saturday in the process, especially with their in-form attacking duo capable of causing the Bavarians serious headaches in transition.
© Reuters
After a perfect start to Julian Nagelsmann's second season in charge, Bayern dropped points for the first time with a frustrating 1-1 draw at home against Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend.
Yann Sommer was in absolutely inspired form on the day, making 19 saves in total as only Leroy Sane's 83rd-minute equaliser managed to beat the Switzerland stopper. Sadio Mane twice had the ball in the back of the net but was denied by tight offside calls on both occasions, while saves to deny Sane, Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt were arguably the pick of an incredible array of sharp reactions from Sommer.
Marcus Thuram had earlier pounced on Dayot Upamecano's defensive error to race in behind and confidently dispatch the ball beyond the reach of Manuel Neuer to provide the visitors with a shock lead two minutes before half time.
Normal service was resumed in midweek with Bayern running out 5-0 winners away to Viktoria Koln in the first-round of the DFB Pokal, with Ryan Gravenberch grabbing his first goal on his first start for the club since moving from Ajax in the summer transfer window.
Saturday's trip to Berlin may well represent the Bavarians' toughest test of the season so far, though, especially with their in-form opponents benefitting from a week's worth of rest having already progressed in the cup earlier in the season.
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Union Berlin could restore Christopher Trimmel to the side in place of Niko Giesselmann, which would likely see Julian Ryerson return to his usual left wing-back role.
Diogo Leite is struggling with a chest injury and could be replaced by Danilho Doekhi at the heart of the defence, but Fischer is unlikely to make any other changes to his starting XI from last weekend's record-breaking 6-1 win at Schalke.
Bayern, meanwhile, should welcome Leon Goretzka back to their squad for the first time in the Bundesliga this season after the midfielder returned to action with a goal in the cup on Wednesday, but it is likely to be too soon for him to start after a serious knee injury.
Jamal Musiala is pushing for a recall after missing last weekend's draw against Gladbach due to a knock, but Sane may retain his place having scored after looking a threat throughout the match.
Serge Gnabry and De Ligt could replace Kingsley Coman and Upamecano respectively, with the latter's costly mistake unlikely to have gone unnoticed by his manager.
Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Ronnow; Jaeckel, Knoche, Doekhi; Trimmel, Thorsby, Khedira, Haberer, Ryerson; Siebatcheu, Becker
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, De Ligt, Hernandez, Davies; Sabitzer, Kimmich; Gnabry, Muller, Sane; Mane
We say: Union Berlin 1-1 Bayern Munich
Union Berlin have claimed two 1-1 draws against Bayern in six meetings since gaining promotion, and we can envisage a repeat of that scoreline on Saturday.
The hosts have the pace and finishing ability to significantly damage the Bavarians' high defensive line, but the visitors have more than enough quality going the other way in order to remain unbeaten.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
