Two top-six sides face off

By Ben Sully @SullyBen

Two teams that are looking to qualify for European competition will go head-to-head on Saturday when Union Berlin face Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

Union Berlin

Union Berlin ended a three-game winless run in all competitions last weekend when they claimed a narrow away win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Sheraldo Becker scored what proved to be the winning goal on the hour-mark to guide his side to a 1-0 victory that kept them in third position.

The result ensured Union recorded their 11th clean sheet of the Bundesliga season – no side has recorded more and only Freiburg and Wolfsburg can match that figure.

With five games left to play in the 2022-23 season, Union are currently four points clear of fifth-placed RB Leipzig as they look to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Union head into the weekend as one of two teams who are yet to lose a home league this season. Urs Fischer’s side have not lost a Bundesliga match at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei since February 2022. They will have the chance to equal their top-flight record of 21 consecutive home league games without defeat.

Team News

Jerome Roussillon and András Schäfer will miss out through injury, while Kevin Behrens will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run to 13 competitive matches with a 2-0 home victory over RB Leipzig last weekend. Leverkusen took a narrow lead into half time thanks to Adam Hložek’s 40th-minute strike, and they wrapped up the three points in the 86th minute when Nadiem Amiri dispatched his spot-kick.

After keeping Leipzig at bay last Sunday, Leverkusen have now conceded just two goals in their previous five league matches.

Leverkusen are currently sitting in sixth position with seventh-placed Mainz just a point behind.

Die Werkself will be hopeful of picking up at least a point on Saturday, having lost just one of their 10 competitive meetings with Union. After cruising to a 5-0 victory in the reverse fixture, Leverkusen have the chance to complete a league double over die Eisernen.