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Preview: Union Berlin vs. SC Paderborn - predictions, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Bundesliga clash between Union Berlin and Paderborn, including team news and predicted lineups.

Union Berlin will be looking to build upon their first victory since the restart over Koln as they play host to bottom-of-the-table SC Paderborn on Tuesday.

In contrast, Paderborn are 11 points from safety and their relegation to the German second division has been all but confirmed following their 5-1 thrashing by Werder Bremen.


Match preview

Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer pictured in October 2019© Reuters

Union Berlin had not won in seven attempts in the Bundesliga before their weekend victory over Koln, but Die Eisernen have practically guaranteed their safety in the division following that 2-1 win.

Indeed, Urs Fischer's men are seven points clear of the drop zone with three rounds of matches remaining, and they will no doubt feel confident of picking up a second win on the bounce against an out-of-sorts Paderborn side.

Union dropped one place to 14th after Augsburg secured a vital victory over fellow relegation candidates Mainz on Sunday, but Fischer's side still have home fixtures against two of the Bundesliga's bottom three to look forward to as the season draws to a close.

Tuesday's clash represents a great chance for Union to record their first win on home turf since January, although Paderborn did manage to salvage a point as the sides played out a 1-1 draw back in December.

Paderborn's Christian Strohdiek pictured in Juoly 2019© Reuters

In contrast, Paderborn are set for a swift return to the 2.Bundesliga after they suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat against 17th-placed Werder Bremen in their own back yard.

The result more or less epitomised Paderborn's season during their return to the big time, and Steffen Baumgart's side can now only finish in the relegation playoff spot at the very most.

Two of Paderborn's four wins all season have actually come on the road - including their most recent victory against Freiburg in January - but they have only netted once in their last four away matches in the German top flight.

Paderborn never looked likely to produce a great escape and their relegation to the second division will be confirmed if they lose to Union on Tuesday.

Union Berlin Bundesliga form: LLDLDW

Paderborn Bundesliga form: DDDLDL


Team News

Union Berlin players celebrate Marcus Ingvartsen's goal on May 27, 2020© Reuters

Robert Andrich is back in the fold for Union having served his one-match suspension against Koln, and the 25-year-old is expected to return to the middle of the park.

However, Christopher Lenz was not involved last time out and it remains to be seen whether the German will be fit in time for the midweek clash.

Fischer may decide to start with a back three for the tie with Paderborn, meaning that Neven Subotic could play a part from the opening whistle.

As far as Paderborn are concerned, Uwe Hunemeier and Streli Mamba return from suspension and the duo will likely slot right back into the starting lineup.

Jan-Luca Rumpf made his debut in the thrashing against Werder but should be replaced by Hunemeier, while Mamba is expected to start up top as a lone striker.

Sebastian Schonlau has also been struggling with injuries recently, but it has been suggested that the German may recover in time to be involved here.

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Gikiewicz; Friedrich, Schlotterbeck, Subotic; Trimmel, Andrich, Gentner, Bulter; Ingvartsen, Malli; Andersson

Paderborn possible starting lineup:
Zingerle; Drager, Hunemeier, Strohdiek, Collins; Vasiliadis, Schonlau; Proger, Srbeny, Antwi-Adjei; Mamba


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We say: Union Berlin 2-1 Paderborn

Union have not exactly hit the ground running since the restart, but that victory over Koln will have done wonders for their confidence. Paderborn's story could not be more different, though, and we expect the home side to take the spoils and seal Paderborn's fate on Tuesday.


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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern19143257263145
2RB Leipzig19115332171538
3Wolfsburg1998230191135
4Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1989238281033
5Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen1995532191332
6Borussia DortmundDortmund19102738271132
7Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach198833629732
8Union BerlinUnion Berlin1978434241029
9Freiburg197663332127
10Stuttgart196763529625
11Werder Bremen195772427-322
12Hoffenheim196492934-522
13Augsburg196492030-1022
14FC Koln194691832-1418
15Hertha Berlin1945102535-1017
16Arminia Bielefeld1952121532-1717
17Mainz 051924131840-2210
18Schalke 04Schalke1915131549-348

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