1. FC Union Berlin and SG Dynamo Dresden meet this Sunday (April 7) in an eagerly-anticipated encounter at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in Dresden.

Having suffered successive league defeats, Urs Fischer’s team have the chance to bounce back to winning ways

Review: Home record ends, Dresden in midweek action

Union Berlin’s 20-game unbeaten run at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei came to a close last Saturday when SC Paderborn ran out 3-1 winners. Sebastian Polter’s first goal since his injury in January proved to be simply a consolation as Steffen Baumgart marked his return to Köpenick with a strong showing. “We have something to make up for, at least we have to try anyway, because in the end, it is results that count. We've been badly rewarded in the last two games, the matches were balanced, the team didn't do everything wrong,” coach Urs Fischer said at the pre-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Dynamo Dresden have been busy this week with two games on Monday and Thursday, respectively. Cristian Fiel’s team defeated Erzgebirge Aue 3-1 on Monday night before a goalless draw at Greuther Fürth three days later. The club, which sits 14th in the 2.Bundesliga, dominated on their travels and will be out to win their first home game since November 25 — 2-0 victory against Ingolstadt.

“Up until the first game under Fiel, when they played in a different system, the last games were similar. I assume it will be like this again, so we are prepared for it. When you take the last games, you know what to expect. I have seen a very good Dynamo Dresden side against Aue: very aggressive, very happy to run, very high to press the opponent and put them under pressure, playing some football. Against Fürth it looked similar in the beginning,” said the Union boss.

Record: Long history

“I think it's a special game,” added Fischer. “It’s really a duel, which has a long tradition. It has to be an incentive, but not the only one.”

Union's recent record in Dresden is positive: the Berliners won 1-0 on their last meeting there in May last year. All in all, Union haven't lost in any of their last four encounters in Dresden. The history of this clash does stretch back decades to the first match between the clubs, before their current incarnation, in 1952. Although Dresden would edge the record over Oberliga times, Union have only lost 2 of 11 2.Bundesliga meetings. 

Personnel: Strong squad to choose from

Eroll Zejnullahu and Fabian Schönheim are still the current absentees from the squad. Polter returned from his foot injury in the defeat to Paderborn last week. Christopher Lenz has a problem with his neck and is currently doubtful.

Service: Away section sold out

There will be no tickets available at the stadium on Sunday. Union have sold out the away allocation with more than 2,900 supporters expected to attend.