1. FC Union Berlin have the opportunity to get back on winning terms when MSV Duisburg visit the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Saturday (07.04.2018, 13:00).

Chance to end winless streak

The next match is always an opportunity to turn things around. With the second division table extremely compact ahead of the last six games, every points count, and particularly those opportunities on home soil. Union haven’t won since February when Sandhausen were sent packing, defeated by two goals to one. Since then, the Köpenick club has come up stuck against Kaiserslautern, Erzgebirge Aue, Jahn Regensburg and Fürth.

“We created more chances in each of the last games than our opponents. As a coach, I can also be quite satisfied with the possession and rate of challenges won,” the coach said at Tuesday’s meeting with supporters. However, as the coach emphasised, football is a results-based sport.

Duisburg are going through a similarly difficult patch, without a win in their last four outings. Coach Ilja Gruev has kept his side in contention for a late playoff push but recent results have seen the Zebras drop to ninth-place. A heavy defeat at Holstein Kiel followed by losses to Fortuna Düsseldorf, Eintracht Braunschweig and Kaiserslautern have taken the air out of a solid run of form.

"I’m only looking at this one game. There are three points to be earned, which would be enough to get us ahead of Duisburg in the standings. It’ll be a full stadium, a home game and an exciting opponent. We want to win this match with all we’ve got, everything else is of secondary nature. It’ll be an interesting match against Duisburg. We have to stand our ground and leave everything on the field, no matter what they throw at us. We have to win the important battles in midfield and keep the points here eventually," said Hofschneider at the pre-match press conference.

Doubts over key players

There are question marks over the fitness of a number of players: Steven Skrzbyski and Marc Torrejon have only recently returned to full training and could be considered for a place in the squad. Simon Hedlund was taken off after 71 minutes last weekend, but Hofschneider confirmed there’s still a chance the Swede could be selected for Saturday.

Meanwhile, defender Michael Parensen and winger Akaki Gogia won’t be available for selection, but have made significant progress in the last week. There are no changes to the long-term fitness status of Sebastian Polter and Fabian Schönheim.

Still time to get your tickets

Match tickets for the Duisburg clash are still available for either the home or away section. They can be purchased on the day of the match or from the usual outlets.