1. FC Union Berlin return to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Saturday February 9 for a home 2.Bundesliga game against SV Sandhausen at 13:00.

Urs Fischer’s side went down on Monday at FC St. Pauli and will be out to build on their current unbeaten home record this season.

Review: Union go down in Hamburg, Sandhausen on form

Union had lots to ponder following Monday's defeat and the coaching team got back to work on Tuesday afternoon to analyse proceedings. Goals from Grischa Prömel and Suleiman Abdullahi gave the away side a fighting chance to pegging St. Pauli back, but Alexander Meier scored his second of the night in a last-gasp penalty kick.

“It certainly won’t be any easier than against St. Pauli or Cologne,” started the Union coach. “My colleague in Sandhausen has said so accordingly, that it isn’t style which has the priority but rather commitment, aggression and fighting spirit. They want to get points so we have to counter that and find solutions against a side which sits very compact and doesn’t allow much space.”

Though in 16th position, Sandhausen are actually enjoying one of their best periods of the season under head coach Uwe Koschinat. His team ended the Hinrunde with three consecutive draws and have added three points to their tally with a 3-0 win over Bochum last week. Their first game of 2019 was a closely-fought match in Hamburg, where Sandhausen went down 2-1. 

Record:

1. FC Union Berlin hold the upper hand in 2.Bundesliga encounters — the Köpenick club have won all six league meetings at home so far. Last season, Steven Skrzybski and Kristian Pedersen scored inside the first 20 minutes to get ahead. Sandhausen held out for 0-0 on Union's last trip to the south-west of Germany. Sandhausen are waiting since the seventh week of the season to win, where they lost at FC Erzgebirge Aue.

Personnel:

Manuel Schmiedebach’s fifth yellow card of the season in Hamburg has ruled him out of action this weekend. The absence of the Union defensive midfielder opens up possible opportunities for the likes of Michael Parensen, Nicolai Rapp or Julian Ryerson. Sebastian Polter is on the sidelines after injuring the metatarsal on his left foot, whilst Robert Zulj has recovered from an issue and trained without problems on Thursday.

Tickets:

Union Berlin are still selling tickets for Saturday’s match. They can be found on the website here. The club expects Sandhausen to bring around 40 supporters to the capital in 48 hours’ time.