1. FC Union Berlin’s final league game of the calendar year takes them to FC Erzgebirge Aue on Sunday December 23, with kick off at 13:30 local time.

Review: Unbeaten Hinrunde, Aue drop two-goal lead

1. FC Union Berlin beat VfL Bochum by two goals last week to mark an unbeaten first half of the season. With 17 without defeat, Union are one of just five second-tier teams to accomplish that feat. Urs Fischer’s men will be hoping to extend that run overall to 20 games ahead of the winter break. Union’s last win away from Köpenick was in October — a 2:1 win over Ingolstadt — with the Berliners showing great character to come through unscathed in Regensburg, Hamburg and Magdeburg.

Meanwhile, Daniel Meyer’s team — 12th in the league table — have seen steady improvements in the last month or so. German striker Pascal Testroet has scored five goals in his last four appearances for Aue. “In the last two games, Aue won 5-0 in Fürth, then they were 2-0 in the lead against Darmstadt. I watched this game as well and didn’t have the feeling that Darmstadt would come back again. But this is the league … it goes to the wire and you need to be ready for it,” said Fischer at the pre-match press conference. 

Record: Union strong away in Aue

Union hold the upper hand in matches at the Erzgebirgestadion, which recently underwent reconstruction. Last season, the Berliners went to Aue and picked up a 2-1 win with goals from Sebastian Polter and Marcel Hartel — part of a three-game winning run at Aue’s home ground. Erzgebirge have never lost four on the bounce against Union on home turf. In East German times, FCE were known as BSG Wismut Aue and held a credible record against the Köpenick club with 20 wins, eight draws and just eight losses in total.

Personnel: Fischer happy with options

Fischer told the press he was happy with training and preparation this week. However, despite the majority of his squad coming through in good shape, Grischa Prömel looks to require a little bit more time in getting back up to speed after injury.

Service: Sold out away section

More than 1,750 supporters will travel to Aue on Sunday, with no more tickets available.

1. FC Union Berlin’s traditional Weihnachtssingen event takes place on Sunday December 23 at 19:00 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.