Union Berlin and Union Saint Gilloise

Union Berlin and Union Saint Gilloise are set to meet each other for the third time in this season’s Europa League, with the Stadion An der Alten Försterei forming the backdrop for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Union Berlin’s road into the Europa League last-16 was tumultuous as they finished runner-up to Royale Union in Group D, with each of their six group matches featuring an identical 1-0 scoreline (W4, L2). However, the Germans excelled in their knockout playoff tie versus Ajax, claiming a 3-1 home triumph in the return leg following a goalless first-leg in Amsterdam to set up this contest. Curiously, after starting their Europa League journey with back-to-back 1-0 losses, Urs Fischer’s men have gone unbeaten in the next five (W5, D1), conceding just once in that run. But they’ve failed to impress of late, managing just one win in their last five matches across all competitions (D3, L1). Worryingly for Fisher, his men drew a blank four times during that five-game sequence.

On the other hand, Royale Union secured a top spot in Group D in their maiden foray into the Europa League group stages, losing just once in six matches (W4, D1) to skip the knockout playoff round. But if you’re looking for omen, their only loss in this season’s competition came at the hands of non-other than Union Berlin, as their all-time record versus German clubs now reads indifferently (W2, L2). On a more positive note, the visitors have won all three away matches in the Europa League proper via an aggregate score of 5-1, which is in stark contrast to their recent road form. Indeed, ‘Les Unionistes’ have gone winless in four of their last five competitive travels (D3, L1), scoring under 1.5 goals on four occasions.