Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen

Stadion An der Alten Försterei sets the stage for an exciting Bundesliga clash between resurgent Union Berlin and table-topping Bayer Leverkusen.

Union Berlin might have spent most of the early Bundesliga campaign in the drop zone, but they start this round nine points clear of the bottom three following a hard-earned 0-0 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. New manager Nenad Bjelica has turned Union’s fortunes around. But he’s been terminally unable to galvanize their away form, as evidenced by a dreadful run of just one win from their last 13 Bundesliga travels (D3, L9). However, Die Eisernen have gone from strength to strength on home turf, assembling an eye-catching run of seven unbeaten league games across their last eight at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei (W5, D2). Three of their five triumphs during that stretch produced a clean sheet, underlining the importance of scoring the opening goal.

Given Union’s underwhelming record of failing to find the net in five of their 13 home league outings, Bayer Leverkusen’s all-conquering side could have a walk in the park. Xabi Alonso’s side pulled off a breathtaking late comeback, scoring twice beyond the 87th minute to beat Hoffenheim 2-1 at home last weekend en route to taking their mind-blowing unbeaten run to a record-breaking threshold. It was Leverkusen’s 35th competitive triumph in 2023/24, and the next will mark the club’s record for most wins in a single campaign. The 36th is looming, considering Die Werkself’s incredible Bundesliga form on hostile turf, with the runaway leaders winning 11 of their 13 league matches away from home (D2). On the downside, they’ve failed to win any of their last three top-flight visits to Union (D2, L1).