Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen

Stadion An der Alten Försterei is the venue as Union Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen go head-to-head in an exciting Bundesliga fixture.

Despite eclipsing last season’s point tally at this stage by ten points, there’s an irresistible sense of urgency around Union Berlin’s camp amid a dismal five-game winless streak in all competitions (D2, L3). ‘Die Eisernen’ returned from the international break with a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Wolfsburg, which condemned them to a fourth consecutive match without scoring. Despite commencing this round only three points behind fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, Union Berlin’s scoring problems have become notorious. The hosts are one of only two Bundesliga teams yet to hit double digits this season (9), netting over 1.5 goals per game in only three of their 11 top-flight fixtures. However, they’ve recently reigned supreme at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, going unbeaten across their last six home clashes (W4, D2). 

In the meantime, Bayer Leverkusen delivered a vintage performance in midweek UEFA Champions League action, trouncing RB Salzburg 5-0 at home only days after turning a 2-0 deficit into a 5-2 home win against Bundesliga strugglers Heidenheim. Despite flying out of the traps after the international break, Xabi Alonso’s men have stuttered on hostile turf, failing to take three points on their last five travels across all competitions (D4, L1). That run includes three successive away league draws, all of which saw them take the lead! Nonetheless, ‘Die Werkself’ head into proceedings on a jaw-dropping 22-game unbeaten Bundesliga streak away from home (W16, D6), accounting for the third-longest in the division’s history.