On Sunday, the women's team of 1. FC Union Berlin will host SV 67 Weinberg at home as part of the 2. Bundeliga’s third matchday. Kick off against the league leaders is at 14:00 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

The lie of the land

After two matches, head coach, Christina Schellenberg’s SV 67 Weinberg are top of the women’s 2. Bundeliga table, as the only side with two wins under their belts (Bayern II and Freiburg II are yet have played). Their 3-2 home win against SV Meppen was followed by a 2-0 away SG 99 Andernach. Despite the good start to the league season, however, the club from Central Franconia suffered their first setback last weekend when they were eliminated from the DFB Pokal in the second round, losing 3-1 at Regionalliga side Fortuna Köln.

Union, meanwhile, are still undefeated after four competitive matches, though are still waiting for their first league win following the 2-2 draw against Hamburger SV and the goalless draw at 1. FC Nürnberg. Head coach Ailien Poese's side have however fared better in the DFB Pokal than their upcoming opponents; after a thrilling 4-2 win on penalties at FSV Gütersloh in round one, they also successfully overcame RasenBallsport Leipzig and have now reached the last 16 of the DFB Cup for the first time in the club's history.

The opponents

A few months ago, nobody would have thought that Sportverein 67 Weinberg e.V. would still be in the 2. Liga at all, and that they are is only thanks to the withdrawal of MSV Duisburg from professional women’s football. As a Bundesliga relegated team, Duisburg would have taken the otherwise relegated Weinberg’s place in the league, but they did not receive a licence and thus ensured that the current league leaders remained in the second division.

That ‘near-relegation year’ was SVW's first in the second-flight after four seasons in the Regionalliga. They had appeared in the 2. Liga in 2018/19 but were relegated straight back down in 13th place.

On the pitch, striker Lisa Wich has been particularly impressive for Sunday’s guests. The oldest player in the squad at the age of 33 is currently the most prolific and dangerous player in the league with three goals and one assist. Last season, the focal point of Weinberg's attack scored ten goals and provided a further three assists.

The personnel

Union head coach Ailien Poese will be without Maria Cristina Lange and Katja Orschmann on Sunday.

The coach’s views ahead of the game

‘Weinberg impressed on the first two matchdays with their good, fast play from deep, and their effectiveness in front of goal,” said Union’s head coach, Ailien Poese ahead of Sunday’s game. “We want to do the same on Sunday, defend deep and create and exploit our own phases of possession. We're looking forward to facing the league leaders at the Alte Försterei and are ready to invest everything in this game to get our first win in the 2nd Bundesliga.’

Service information

The Stadion An der Alten Försterei opens its gates at 12:30. Tickets for the match are on sale at all of Union’s Zeughaus stores and online. There will also be a ticket office open on match day.

The match against SV 67 Weinberg will be broadcast live on AFTV+. Updates will be available via club's own live ticker for the match, as well as in English and Spanish on Twitter.