1. FC Union Berlin will welcome 5,000 spectators to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for the visit of Christian Streich and SC Freiburg on Saturday at 15:30.

In accordance with Berlin's Infection Protection Regulations, all open-air events can have a maximum 5,000 people in attendance. These measures are still in place — but it is mandatory for fans to wear a mask at all times and refrain from singing/chanting.

Review

Urs Fischer's side left the Veltins Arena with a well-deserved point against Schalke, but may feel it could have been all three. Marvin Friedrich's second goal in consecutive appearances put Union into a dominant position in the second half, but Goncalo Paciencia equalised for the Royal Blues from a set-piece situation. The Köpenick club's fifth point of the league season keeps them unbeaten on the road in the 2020/21 Bundesliga season. 

Meanwhile, SC Freiburg drew 1-1 at home to Werder Bremen at the Schwarzwald-Stadion. Philipp Lienhart opened the scoring after 15 minutes, but the northern Germans hit back with Niklas Füllkurg's strike from the penalty spot in the 25th minute.

Opposition

SC Freiburg share the same number of points as Union but are five goals worse off. This is in large part to the 0-4 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund at the start of October. Streich's side beat rivals Stuttgart 3-2 with goals from Nils Petersen, Roland Sallai and Vincenzo Grifo, whilst also taking individual points from draws at home to both Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen. After finishing a point away from qualification for the UEFA Europa League last season, Freiburg added strength to their settled squad — Baptiste Santamaria signed for 10 million euros from Angers, Ermedin Demirovic arrived from Alaves (loan at St. Gallen) for three million, while Guus Till and Florian Müller signed on loan. The newcomers have helped Streich steady the tide of departues after recent successful seasons. Benfica plucked Luca Waldschmidt for 15 million euros, while Robin Koch joined up with promoted Leeds United. Alexander Schwolow, Pascal Stenzel, Mohamed Dräger, Jerome Gondorf and Brandon Borrello all left for pastures new and Nico Schlotterbeck signed in Köpenick for the 2020/21 season. Brother Keven, who was on loan last term at Union, has overall played for 30 minutes against Dortmund in the Bundesliga since his return.

Personnel

Grischa Prömel, Jakob Busk and Loris Karius are considered doubtful for Saturday's game, according to Fischer. Lennart Moser will join up with the first-team squad and Christian Gentner's 12 minutes in Gelsenkirchen make him an alternative option for the squad after recovering from injury. Nico Schlotterbeck is making progress in his recovery, but the coach would not be drawn into a general prognosis.

In Schlotterbeck's absence, Fischer has called on Mathis Bruns to step up from the youth side. Bruns is 16 years old, but has featured for Union's U19 side this season. 

Service

Winners and losers of the ticket ballot have been informed by email.

The health and safety measures for visitors to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei are here.

The local broadcaster in your country/region can be found here.