Union Berlin vs Wolfsburg

Union Berlin and Wolfsburg are set to trade tackles at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in a handsomely-looking DFB-Pokal last-16 tie.

Union Berlin had to survive an extra-time drama to dispatch fourth-tier Chemnitzer 2-1 in the opening DFB-Pokal round before pulling off a comfortable 2-0 win over Heidenheim last time out. However, it would be a little wonder if manager Urs Fischer sacrifices the cup amid Union Berlin’s phenomenal start to the new calendar year in the Bundesliga. Indeed, ‘Die Eisernen’ have won all three league matches in 2023 by an aggregate score of 7-2 to close the gap on table-topping Bayern Munich to a single point. Union Berlin’s unexpectedly high position in the Bundesliga table owns much to their stellar home form, with Fischer’s men going unbeaten in all eight home league outings this season (W6, D2).

Meanwhile, visiting Wolfsburg launched their DFB-Pokal adventure with a hard-fought 1-0 win at fourth-tier Carl Zeiss Jena before a dramatic 2-1 win at Eintracht Braunschweig in the previous round. Up until recently, ‘Die Wolfe’ would’ve been the only viable candidate to knock Union Berlin off their perch, yet a 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen last weekend ended their impressive 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W8, D3). Niko Kovac’s men have encountered little luck on their visits to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, going winless in all four (D2, L2) while conceding precisely twice on each occasion. But after averaging 2.5 goals per game on their last six domestic travels, they’ll be confident about matching Berlin’s attacking output.