1. FC Union Berlin will look to extend their decent away record with three points from 1. FC Heidenheim on Friday March 15 at 18:30.

Review: Union march on, Heidenheim stutter

Union Berlin ran out 2-0 winners at home to Ingolstadt last Friday, continuing a steady run of results in the league. Sebastian Andersson hit his 10^th goal of the campaign to put the Köpenick side in the driving seat against former boss Jens Keller. Akaki Gogia hit from close-range in the second half before the Bavarians were cut to nine men after red cards to Almog Cohen and Robin Krauße.

Meanwhile, Heidenheim have maintained an impressive chase of the top-four with 39 points from 25 matches — level with Holstein Kiel and four behind fourth-placed FC St. Pauli. Nevertheless, Frank Schmidt’s men are without a win from their last four matches. The away side unsettled by an outbreak of the flu, Heidenheim went down to a second-half goal from Chung-Young Lee at Bochum last weekend.

Record: An uncomfortable opponent

Friday’s opposition 1. FC Heidenheim hold a strong record against Union Berlin, both at home and in the capital. Before their previous 1-1 draws in Berlin, Frank Schmidt’s side won 4-3 in November 2017 at the Voith-Arena. The Köpenick club have failed to beat Heidenheim in the last five competitive encounters. In October 2015, Damir Kreilach and Steven Skrzybski struck to give Union an important away win in Heidenheim.

“I think Heidenheim is really strong, so we have to deal that. They lost the match against Regensburg at home, also in Bochum - but that should not suggest to us that it will be easy there. If you look at the table, they will do everything they can to keep up. I'm expecting a very difficult away match,” said Fischer at the pre-match press conference.

Personnel: Changes in midfield

With Nicolai Rapp and Grischa Prömel suspended, Fischer will look to find the right balance in central midfield. “Both are possibilities. At the end, we’ll make the decision based on the impressions of the week,” said the Swiss coach when asked whether he would consider changing the shape as well as personnel. Carlos Mane has returned to training and is likely to be available for selection on Friday, while Michael Parensen is fit once again. Sebastian Polter is “on a good way” in his recovery from long-term injury.

Service: Cashier at Voith-Arena

Fans who still wish to purchase tickets for the match on Friday can do so at the stadium in Heidenheim. Tickets are no longer available to buy online or from the club stores. More than one thousand Union supporters are expected to back the team in the ground.