1. FC Union Berlin will go head-to-head with Bundesliga league-leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday evening at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

Review

1. FC Union Berlin suffered defeat at the hands of rivals Hertha last Friday, despite taking the lead through Taiwo Awoniyi after 20 minutes. The Nigerian striker fired home the opener at the Olympic Stadium after a neat assist from Marcus Ingvartsen. However, the game flipped on its head three minutes later when referee Felix Brych showed Robert Andrich a straight red card for a foul on Lucas Tousart. Union competed with one player less for more than an hour, and despite the numerical disadvantage, Urs Fischer's side remained competitive. Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia rotated at the break and Peter Pekarik equalised after half-time. Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek hit a late double to bring an end to Union's eight-game unbeaten run, three wins in a row. There was a final blow in Charlottenburg when Max Kruse hobbled off with injury, the striker expected to miss the next few games.

Meanwhile, FC Bayern progressed to the Last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 at home to Lokomotiv Moscow. It was a routine win for Hansi Flick's team with second-half goals from Niklas Süle and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. 

Opponents

Germany's record champions Bayern Munich are on course for their eighth Bundesliga title in successive years. The Bavarians are at the top of the league, one point ahead of second-placed Leverkusen. Despite the challenge of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, Hansi Flick's men are still in pole position. In their last Bundesliga outing, Bayern drew 3-3 with Julian Nagelsmann's Leipzig. "Against a team like Bayern Munich, we simply have to do everything right. Even if Bayern don't have their best day, they win their games. We have to get through certain phases of the game and find a solution from these situations. A good mix of offensive and defensive work is needed again," said the Union coach at the pre-match press conference.

Personnel

Urs Fischer is without a number of players for the visit of Flick's team. Andrich will be out for the next three games following his red card in last week's derby, while Anthony Ujah, Nico Schlotterbeck, Joel Pohjanpalo and Kruse are missing. Florian Hübner trained this week, but is extremely doubtful for the next match.

Service

The 18:30 kick-off at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei will be played behind closed doors in accordance with the current coronavirus restrictions.