Union Berlin return to league action on Tuesday with a visit to Holstein Kiel, this season’s surprise package.

Based on the Baltic Sea coast, Kiel are second in the 2.Bundesliga and have been present in the promotion positions since the eighth matchday of the season.

Consistency has been key to the success of Markus Anfang’s men. Kiel have been defeated just once since the middle of September – a 3-1 loss to Sandhausen on December 17. Anfang has maximised the tools at his disposal this season and has seen a true squad effort from his troops. Both midfielder Dominick Drexler and striker Marvin Ducksch have 11 goals to their name this term.

Meanwhile, Union have dropped to sixth and haven’t won since the 1-0 triumph over St Pauli at the beginning of November. But despite a challenging opener to 2018, coach Andre Hofschneider is optimistic about his side’s chances. “Overall, Kiel is the clear favourite,” he said at the pre-match press conference in Berlin, while refusing to label the game a ‘week of truth’ or ‘do-or-die’ situation.

If this season’s previous meeting is anything to go by, then Tuesday will be a classic. Union ran out 4-3 winners against Kiel in September, under the lights of summer in Köpenick. “We are looking at the first game, which is very, very important for us. We want to make the turnaround after we haven't won in five games and lost the last three games. It's all about getting back on the road to success,” said Hofschneider.”

Lars Dietz, a January signing from Borussia Dortmund, will be in the 18-man squad this midweek. But Hoschneider is without Fabian Schönheim, Kenny Prince Redondo and Stephan Fürstner.  With 2,000 Union fans already heading north, there are still further tickets available at the club box office. Ticket holders are requested to follow the instructions of local police on arrival, as well as, departure from the Holstein-Stadion.