This Sunday sees a huge clash in the Regionalliga Nordost between the only two unbeaten teams in the league, as 1. FC Union Berlin host Türkiyemspor Berlin. It's a derby, and a top of the table clash. What more could you ask for? Kick-off is at 14:00 at Dörpfeldstraße.

The opponents

Before the season, experts agreed that the battle for promotion to the 2. Bundesliga would largely be fought out between Viktoria Berlin and Unio. Both clubs had announced a professionalisation process in the summer, which should lead the clubs to the Bundesliga in the medium to long term.

But their means and methods are different, Viktoria relying on the support of numerous investors, while Union are leaning on the generally rude state of health at the club at all levels. But, although both are occupying the top two positions after seven match days, the only team that haven't dropped a point so far this season are actually Türkiyemspor. The fact that the Kreuzberg side are only in third place with 18 points - one point behind Union in first - is only due to the fact that they have only played six league games so far.

So it seems fair to ask if they'd been underestimated, and whether it could be Türkiyemspor who will triumph in the end?

The club's recent success should come as no great surprise, as last season they not only finished second in the Regionalliga Nordost behind promoted Turbine Potsdam II, but also won the Berlin Pokal for the first time, beating none other than Viktoria 2-0 in the final. But what is remarkable, is that the club have only been in the Regionalliga since 2020.

With that runners-up spot last season, and their flying start to the current one, Türkiyemspor have certainly shaken up the league. Player-manager Erika Szuh's team have the best defence in the Regionalliga, having conceded only one goal compared to Union's two. And that one was in their 5-1 win against the side Union beat last weekend, SV Eintracht Leipzig-Süd.

There are some familiar faces at the local rivals with a total of eight players in the Türkiyemspor squad having worn the Union stripes in the past. However two further former Unioner left Türkiyemspor in the Summer. Josephine Bonsu (who played for Union from 2015 to 2021) went to Carl Zeiss Jena after one year and Aylin Yaren, who is currently the league's top scorer with 19 goals, moved to Viktoria Berlin after four years with Türkiyemspor.

The head to head

From Union's point of view, memories of the last meeting between the sides is particularly painful, Türkiyemspor having edged Union out  2-1 in the last 16 of the Cup about a year ago. But the last encounter in the league also went to Türkiyemspor, winning 3-1 at the Willy-Kressmann-Stadion last September. A month previously, Union team had also lost a friendly against their rivals, 5-2.

So it's about time for Union's fortunes to change. Their last win against Türkiyemspor was two years ago, as the sides first met in the Regionalliga. That one was a little more decisive, as Union ran out 8-0 winners in September 2020.

The coach's views ahead of the match

"With Türkiyemspor, we are facing a team that has not yet dropped a point this season," said Union head coach Ailien Poese. "That shows the strength of the opponent, and they will certainly pose a different challenge to the ones we've faced in the last three weeks."

And she will still have to do without Celine Frank and Sophie Trojahn, while there are question marks over the fitness of Latoya Bach, Pauline Wimmer, Naika Reissner and Nour Youssef.

Poese concluded with an appeal to all Union fans.

"To all Unioner, both men and women, come and cheer us on next Sunday at 2pm at the Fritz-Lesch-Sportplatz in Dörpfeldstraße! Admission is free for everyone."

We can only echo her statement. See you there.