On the third-last weekend of a testing campaign, 1. FC Union Berlin head to the Merck Stadion am Böllenfalltor to face SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday April 28, 2018 (13:00).

Two draws from three, and the win over FC St Pauli, have eased fears of relegation as Union piece together the first consistent run of form of the calendar year. Three points in Darmstadt would be enough to officially alleviate those concerns.

"The match might not be the easiest, but it’s not that point in the season either - we have to get the points," said head coach Andre Hofschneider.

Darmstadt still fighting 

Second-bottom Darmstadt are three points off St Pauli, who occupy the relegation play-off position. Complete survival is just four points away for the Lillies with three games remaining.  "We want to take another step in the right direction," added coach Dirk Schuster, who previously led the club to two successive promotions from third-tier to Bundesliga.  Schuster adds, his team is "extremely concentrated and committed, but has also shown a certain mental looseness. This mix could be the key to defeating Union." 

There’s been little to separate the teams in recent seasons aside from a 5-0 loss to Darmstadt in the 2014-15 season on the road. This year’s encounter was full of drama, with Union battling away to earn a 3-3 draw in the final minutes of the game. Under Schuster, Darmstadt are eight games without defeat - but in that time have only managed to win twice.

"Darmstadt has found its way back to the things that have distinguished her as a trainer in recent years and especially under Dirk - compactness, aggressiveness, strength in challenges. The game will demand a lot from us because our opponent has his back to the wall," summarised 47-year-old Hofschneider.

Union missing their captain

The club confirmed last weekend that skipper Felix Kroos would be unavailable for this match after picking up a foot injury. Christoph Schösswendter suffered a head injury following a collision in training this week, while Jakob Busk and Sebastian Polter are on the sidelines. Grischa Prömel returned to training and looks much closer to a full recovery before the game in Darmstadt.

Information for fans:

More than 1,300 Union fans have snapped up tickets for Saturday’s six-pointer. For those who decide to travel on the day of the game, boxes will be open on site for fans to purchase tickets. All supporters are asked to follow the advice of the local police from Hesse. More important information for away supporters can be found here.