Borussia Dortmund will be looking to go four wins from four matches in the Bundesliga when they welcome Union Berlin to Westfalenstadion for a gameweek seven clash on Saturday evening.
The hosts are currently in fourth place with 14 points after the first six matches, while the visitors are 11th, having secured only six points in as many matches this term.
Match preview
© Reuters
After an incredible title chase last season, which came down to the very last day, Borussia Dortmund look set to challenge for the top spots again this term, having made a very promising start to the league campaign.
The Black and Yellows come into this match fresh off a 0-0 draw to AC Milan in the Champions League in midweek, which extended their recent record to three matches unbeaten in all competitions, including two wins and a draw.
In league terms, Dortmund are one of just three sides in the top flight that are still unbeaten after six matches this season, drawing two and winning four, with their most recent match ending in a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim last weekend, leaving them just two points behind the early leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Niclas Fullkrug, Ramy Bensebaini and Marco Reus were all on the scoresheet in their last league outing, with the latter securing his third goal in the last three league matches, making him the side's joint top scorer this season alongside Donyell Malen.
Edin Terzic's side have already bagged two wins and a draw at home in the league this season, and following their stalemate against AC Milan, they are now unbeaten at Westfalenstadion in their last 25 games in all competitions, dating all the way back to August 2022.
BVB also have a very good record against this opponent, which includes a 2-1 win in their last meeting and four wins in their last five, which sees them come into this one as the out-and-out favourites.
© Reuters
Fair to say, it has been an incredible few years for Union Berlin, having earned promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history and going on to claim a Champions League berth all in the space of just four years.
However, the alarm bells will now be ringing for the Iron Ones, who lost their midweek Champions League fixture 3-2 to Sporting Braga, marking their sixth consecutive loss in all competitions.
While losses against the likes of RB Leipzig and Real Madrid in that time could possibly be forgiven, being defeated by newly-promoted Heidenheim last weekend creates major concerns over their ability to manage European and domestic demands simultaneously.
Adding to those concerns for Urs Fischer will be that his side failed to score a single goal in three of their last four league matches and are already eight points off the top four and just three above the dreaded drop zone.
Unfortunately for Fischer, his side's chances in this match do not look very promising, as he will have to find a way to overcome the mighty Dortmund on their home patch, where his side have never tasted victory in eight league and cup visits.
Team News
© Reuters
Terzic has a few important absentees for this encounter, starting with Bensebaini, who was shown two yellows last week against Hoffenheim and will serve his one-match suspension in this match.
Marcel Sabitzer has missed the last two matches for BVB with a groin injury and will remain on the sidelines for at least another two weeks.
Joining him on the treatment table is Mateu Morey, who is suffering from a knee injury, and Thomas Meunier, who is yet to feature this season as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.
Meanwhile, after making a promising start to the season, Robin Knoche has picked up a leg injury that has seen him miss the last three matches, and reports suggest that the defender will remain out for at least another couple of weeks.
Laurenz Dehl (Achilles tendon), Andras Schafer (foot) and Rani Khedira (calf) are longer-term absentees, although the latter is expected to return to training in the next week.
Kevin Behrens has been the standout player for Union Berlin this season, having scored four of his side's nine league goals, and will most likely resume duty in attack here alongside David Datro Fofana.
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Wolf, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Can, Ozcan; Brandt, Reus, Malen; Fullkrug
Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Ronnow; Leite, Bonucci, Doekhi; Kral, Juranovic, Laidouni, Haberer, Gosens; Behrens, Fofana
We say: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Union Berlin
What we have here are two sides with completely contrasting forms. Dortmund's home record has been incredible for over a year now, and their record against this opponent adds to our confidence that they will secure another win here. Unfortunately for the visitors, if that is to be the case, it will equate to their seventh consecutive loss in all competitions.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
