Gladbach travel to the capital tonight looking for their first league win of the season. Whilst a win for Union Berlin could lift them up to sixth in the Bundesliga.
Gladbach are the only Bundesliga team yet to win this season after drawing three and losing three of their opening six league matches. However, there are finally signs of life after draws away to Bayer Leverkusen and at home to SC Freiburg.
Interim Head Coach, Eugen Polanski took over from Gerardo Seoane in September after a 4-0 defeat at home to Bremen.
Since then, Gladbach’s performances, if not results, have improved, including a notable 6-4 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
In contrast, Union Berlin have had a relatively uneventful start to the season, with wins away to Frankfurt and home to Stuttgart. They will be looking for more of the same under the Friday night lights against Gladbach.
Union Berlin
Steffen Baumgart’s side have failed to score in their last two matches. Poor performances by forwards, Andrej Ilic and Oliver Burke have dented their initial progress.
Baumgart will hope that his side can finally find their shooting boots and should be confident. Gladbach have one of the worst defences in the league, having already conceded 12 goals.
However, Union Berlin are not helped by potential absences. Oliver Burke and Josip Juranovic are doubtful. Ilyas Ansah is likely to be recalled alongside Andrej Ilic in place of Woo-yeong Jeong in attack. Whilst, Robert Skov was substituted just 22 minutes into a friendly match during the international break due to a muscle injury.
Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach failed to score in six of their last eight league matches and tonight will be another tough test for the visitors.
Gladbach have scored only once away from home this Bundesliga season. But they will be buoyed by their 3-2 friendly victory against Munster during the international break.
Two goals from 21-year-old, Jan Urbich may take the pressure off striker, Haris Tabakovic, who has struggled for fitness and form in recent months.
Although Tabakovic did find the net in Bosnia & Herzegovina’s recent 4-1 victory away to Malta.
Expect an unchanged starting line-up from Eugen Polanski this weekend. Florian Neuhaus should retain his forward spot ahead of Shuto Machino, whilst Giovanni Reyna, Robin Hack and Franck Honorat all remain sidelined.
Head-to-Head
Union Berlin were victors in six of 12 of their recent Bundesliga clashes since 2019/20.
However, Gladbach did the double over Union Berlin last season.
Goals from Ullrich and Kleindienst were enough for Gladbach back in February as they took all three points from Berlin.
Whilst the result is not guaranteed, it is expected to be a tense and tight game.
Only one of the last ten Bundesliga battled were decided by a 2+ goal margin.
You can watch the game from the UK live on the BBC across the BBC Sport website, app and on BBC iPlayer or follow along on our socials.
