Record against Union: Evenly matched
Overall: 15 games. 5 wins, 7 draws, 3 defeats. 24:20 goal difference.
Bundesliga: 10 games. 3 wins, 4 draws, 3 defeats. 17:16 goal difference.
Looking back: Record-breaking meeting
When VfB travelled to Union Berlin in April of this year, all eight goals were scored in the first half in a 4-4 draw. That set a Bundesliga record – never before have so many goals been scored in the first 45 minutes.
Reunions: Wooyeong Jeong staying in the capital
Ahead of this season, Union completed the permanent signing of Wooyeong Jeong, who was previously on loan from Stuttgart. The South Korea international made 29 competitive appearances in the shirt with the red hoop during the 2023/24 campaign, contributing two goals and three assists. He’s netted four times in 24 outings for the Berliners to date.
In the VfB camp, Jamie Leweling has a Union connection, having made 25 competitive appearances for Die Eisernen from 2022 to 2023. He’s been a Stuttgart player since 2023.
Stats: Who will continue their run?
VfB won each of their final three Bundesliga matches last season. Only Borussia Dortmund currently boast a longer winning run in the German top flight (five wins).
Union, on the other hand, have lost just one of their last 10 Bundesliga games (W4, D5).
Coaches head-to-head: Hoeneß unbeaten against Baumgart
Sebastian Hoeneß has taken charge of 76 Bundesliga fixtures as head coach of VfB, making him the longest-serving current coach in the league. With a points average of 1.79, he’s also the most successful boss in VfB’s top-flight history. The 43-year-old is unbeaten against Union Berlin counterpart Steffen Baumgart, with three wins and one draw from their four encounters.
Team news: Nübel set to return
Hoeneß has almost a full squad to pick from for the trip to the capital. Leonidas Stergiou (building up fitness after foot operation) and Silas (rehab after ankle injury) are the only injury absentees, while Lorenz Assignon must serve a suspension carried over from the French league. Hoeneß confirmed that Alexander Nübel is likely to start in goal having trained the whole week, and returnee Tiago Tomas will also be part of the squad.
Crowd: The away section at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei is sold out.