Bundesliga | Gameweek 18

Jan 19, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei

Union Berlin vs Mainz 05

Match preview

Union conceded twice in the first half against Augsburg, and though they prevented their opponents from creating a big chance in the second half, Die Eisernen failed to create a single big chance themselves.

Boss Steffen Baumgart has only been in charge for two games - and has presided over two defeats - but his side have failed to score in his short tenure, conceding four goals in the process.

In fact, the hosts' record of 13 top-flight goals is the second-worst return in the Bundesliga, although they are the fifth-best defensive team in the division, having conceded just 24 times.

Baumgart's side are winless in their last 11 matches, losing eight and their last three.

Union's home form has taken a turn for the worse: while they won their first three games at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei in 2024-25, they failed to win any of their subsequent five home matches, drawing three and losing two.

In the reverse fixture on 24 August, the Eisernen were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunday's visitors, and to their credit they created two good chances, the same number as Mainz.

The carnival club were beaten 1-0 by champions Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, a match in which Mainz managed just 0.12 xG from open play.

Despite the defeat, they are only two points behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig and eight behind third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, who have played a game more.

Bo Henriksen's side have been in excellent form of late, winning six of their last eight league games and losing just twice in their last 10.

Mainz have also kept four clean sheets in their last nine matches and have scored three goals in four of their last eight top-flight games.

Henriksen may be concerned that his side have lost two of their last three away games, but those defeats were their only losses in nine away games this season, with five wins and two draws.

Recent Performance

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:LLDLLL

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:WLWWWL

Team News

Union full-back Tom Rothe is suspended, while goalkeepers Frederik Ronnow and Yannic Stein will not return until February.

Defender Josip Juranovic is close to returning, but Kevin Vogt is out until March, which could mean Baumgart goes with a back four on Sunday, with Christopher Trimmel, Danilho Doekhi, Diogo Leite and Jerome Roussillon likely to start in front of Alexander Schwolow.

Jordan Siebatcheu could be flanked by wingers Benedict Hollerbach and Woo-Yeong Jeong, with striker Ivan Prtajin unlikely to make his comeback from injury until late January.

Mainz will be without strikers Gabriel Vidovic and Jonathan Burkardt, with Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee likely to provide support for striker Armindo Sieb.

Dominik Kohr, Maxim Leitsch and Andreas Hanche-Olsen could start in a back three with centre-backs Moritz Jenz and Stefan Bell injured.

Elsewhere, Kaishu Sano has regularly partnered Nadiem Amiri in midfield and the duo are in contention to start together on Sunday.

Possible starting lineup

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Schwolow; Trimmel, Doekhi, Leite, Roussillon; Kemlein, Khedira, Schafer; Hollerbach, Siebatcheu, Jeong

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Kohr, Leitsch, Hanche-Olsen; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Sieb