After last week's win over Sandhausen in Köpenick, 1. FC Union Berlin are back on the road in the search for points. On Saturday February 16, with a 13:00 kick off, Urs Fischer's side meet MSV Duisburg at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena.

Review: Gogia seals three points, Duisburg lose in Fürth

The victory over a stuffy SV Sandhausen was the confidence-booster needed following the dramatic 3-2 loss at FC St. Pauli last Monday night. Union restored themselves to the top three in the 2.Bundesliga with strikes from Sebastian Andersson and substitute Akaki Gogia. 

Duisburg, however, are facing a battle of their own to avoid relegation. The Zebras swapped coaches at the start of October with Torsten Lieberknecht succeeding Ilia Gruev, but there has been little change in league form. Last week, MSV Duisburg lost to Greuther Fürth in frustrating circumstances — Daniel Keita-Rüel scored in the 86th minute from the penalty spot after a handball in the penalty area. In the middle of the week previous, Lieberknecht's side were knocked out of the German Cup at home to fellow 2.Bundesliga side, SC Paderborn.

Record: League's best defence meets the league's weakest attack

Fischer's Union are at the top of the defensive charts in the 2.Bundesliga this season, conceding just 18 goals in 21 games. Meanwhile, Lieberknecht's Duisburg have scored on average less than one goal per game this term — 20 in total from 21 games. The statistics are similarly not encouraging for the Zebras who have won one of their previous 11 league meetings with Union Berlin. Nevertheless, Gruev's side were minutes away from holding out for three points in the Hinrunde, taking a surprise 2-1 lead at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Florian Hübner's goal in the second minute of additional time rescued the Berliners and maintained the early unbeaten start. 

"We haven't underestimated any opponent yet," said coach Fischer in the pre-match media conference. "But it's also important, as in the away game against Aue or at home against Sandhausen, to be ready from the first second onwards, to get into to the game as quickly as possible, to be in the battles, but also to find solutions. You need a good mix. It will be an interesting task."

Personnel: Schmiedebach available again

Union Berlin will be boosted by the return of Manuel Schmiedebach who sat out Saturday's win over Sandhausen due to a yellow card suspension. Nicolai Rapp made his debut in his place and Fischer admitted that no player was guaranteed a spot in his starting line-up. Sebastian Polter remains the only absentee.

Service: Tickets available in Duisburg

More than 1,000 Union supporters have already purchased tickets for the match. Fans can still buy tickets for the away section at the stadium on matchday.