Union Berlin's climb from the relegation fight meets Dortmund's unbeaten form

Union Berlin’s most recent meeting with Borussia Dortmund ended 3-0 in Dortmund’s favour in January, and the visitors have since shown few signs of slowing. This Saturday at An der Alten Försterei, Union face the same opponent with the table weighing heavily on them. Sixteenth of 18 with four points from five games and a goal difference of -12, they need results quickly if they are to haul themselves out of the relegation fight.

Union’s climb from the relegation fight

Every point matters for Union right now, and a home game against a side in the top three is an opportunity to start that climb. Dortmund, by contrast, sit second with 13 points and have yet to lose a league match this season. For a club that has collected just one win from five, the gap between the two sides is stark.

Form

Union’s season has been a struggle. They have one win, one draw and three defeats, and their last five matches produced five goals and 17 conceded. Notably, all five of their goals this season have come at home; they have yet to score on the road. Dortmund have won four and drawn one of their five league games, scoring 11 times while conceding four.

Dortmund’s grip on the fixture

Dortmund have won four of the last five meetings between the clubs. They scored 15 goals across those matches, including a 6-0 win in February 2025, while Union’s only victory came in October 2024, a 2-1 result. Union have not beaten Dortmund since.

Injury problems on both sides

Union will be without Ilic, who is ill, and Markgraf, who has a knee injury. Juranovic (Achilles tendon), Latte Lath (inactive) and Nsoki (muscle injury) are all doubtful. Dortmund are missing Can and Konstantelias, both with knee injuries, and Lerma, who is sidelined with a muscle problem.

Our prediction

Union have shown they can compete at home, but a defence that has conceded 17 goals in five games makes it hard to see them keeping Dortmund out. Dortmund’s attacking form and their dominance in recent meetings suggest they will be too strong on the day. Union will fight, but we expect the visitors to control the match.

Prediction: Union Berlin 1-3 Borussia Dortmund