2 FC Union Berlin vs 1 Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund in search of back-to-back BL victories after emphatic UCL win.
In a clash that pits Union Berlin's impeccable home form against Borussia Dortmund's away struggles, both teams face off at the Stadion An Der Alten Försterei this Saturday, with Union eager to bounce back from their first defeat of the season and Dortmund seeking to continue their recent scoring frenzy.
FC Union Berlin
Union Berlin are set for a stern test as they prepare to face Dortmund, especially after a gut-wrenching header by Tomáš Čvančara in added time handed them their maiden defeat of the season against Borussia Mönchengladbach, 0-1. Despite the loss, Union’s tally of eight points from their opening five Bundesliga matches represents their second-best start to a top-flight campaign.
Only in the 2022/23 season did they achieve more points at this stage, with 11. Historically, they have struggled against Dortmund, losing seven out of their 10 Bundesliga encounters. Yet, their impeccable home form this season offers some optimism, as Union have won both of their opening home games and could start a Bundesliga campaign with three consecutive home victories for the first time.
Joining them in holding a 100% home record in the 2024/25 season are Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. Manager Bo Svensson is expected to opt for a 3-4-3 formation, with László Bénes and Benedict Hollerbach providing support for striker Jordan Pefok.
However, with injury worries, Union will be without Josip Juranović, who is sidelined with a foot injury, and Ivan Prtajin, who is nursing a knee injury. These absences may challenge their depth as they look to maintain momentum against a formidable opponent.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are enjoying a rich vein of form, securing four wins from their last five outings [WWLWW], including an overwhelming 7-1 victory against Celtic on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League. Manager Nuri Şahin couldn't hide his delight following the result, emphasising his side's relentless work rate, particularly up front. ‘What makes me happiest is how hard the boys up front worked. We were always on the move,’ he said.
Dortmund currently sits 5th in the Bundesliga standings with 10 points, just three points behind table-topping Bayern Munich in what has been a fiercely competitive start to the season. Despite their dominance over Union Berlin in recent years, the BVB has been plagued by poor away form, failing to win any of their last four Bundesliga away games and securing just one point from a possible 12.
Their last victory on the road dates back to April when they defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach [2-1]. Serhou Guirassy, fresh off a brace in the demolition of Celtic, is expected to lead Dortmund’s attack in the familiar 3—4—2—1 formation. However, the team will be without midweek hattrick-hero Karim Adeyemi, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, as well as Donyell Malen and Giovanni Reyna.
Adeyemi provided an update on his condition in a post-match interview, saying, ‘I had to come off due to a little problem with my thigh. I hope it's not too bad. We'll see what happens tomorrow.’
Team form
Showing the latest five games—giving you a quick look at recent performance trends. Teams in good form tend to do well in the next match.
Team Comparison
Side-by-side assessment of team statistics, including goals, attacks, and more. This allows you to directly compare key performance metrics. Analyzing these stats can reveal patterns and strengths that might influence the outcome.