The penultimate round of Bundesliga fixtures before the winter break begins on Friday, as Union Berlin welcome RB Leipzig to the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. The hosts enter the clash desperate to halt their three-match losing streak, while Leipzig aim to stay within touching distance of Bayern Munich at the summit.
Union Berlin’s season under Steffen Baumgart has generally been steady, but recent weeks have exposed worrying cracks. Successive defeats to FC Heidenheim and VfL Wolfsburg have dragged Die Eisernen down the table, followed by a DFB-Pokal exit at the hands of Bayern Munich. Their home form has also deteriorated: Union are winless in their last three league matches in Berlin, having dropped five points due to goals conceded deep into stoppage time.
Yet, there are positives. Union continue to raise their level against top-tier opponents and remain the only Bundesliga team unbeaten against Bayern Munich this season. Friday’s fixture provides a fresh opportunity to end their four-match winless run against Leipzig and secure their first victory over Die Roten Bullen since February 2023.
RB Leipzig, meanwhile, sit second in the Bundesliga, the best of the rest behind Bayern Munich, though an eight-point gap reminds them how high the bar is set for a title challenge. With nine wins and two draws from 13 matches, Leipzig have been impressively efficient, even if perfection seems to be the only currency capable of keeping pace with the Bavarians.
Unlike Bayern Munich, Leipzig are not weighed down by European commitments this season, allowing Ole Werner’s squad to channel their full energy into domestic pursuits. Maintaining pressure on the champions is their immediate mission, and they arrive in the capital buoyed by an outstanding 6-0 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, their third win in four league outings. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Union Berlin face a few notable selection concerns ahead of Friday’s clash, with Steffen Baumgart still unable to call upon two attacking options. Danish forward Robert Skov remains sidelined with a persistent muscle injury that has kept him out since September, limiting Union’s ability to rotate in the final third.
Highly rated youngster Andrik Markgraf is also unavailable, as the leg injury he suffered earlier in the campaign has prevented him from making a single appearance this season. There are no new suspensions for Die Eisernen, but these attacking absences restrict Baumgart’s tactical flexibility.
In terms of tactical setup, Union Berlin are expected to continue in their familiar 3-5-2 formation, which offers defensive stability and opportunities to break quickly in transition. Frederik Ronnow will start in goal, shielded by a back three of Danilho Doekhi, Leopold Querfeld, and Diogo Leite, who are tasked with keeping Leipzig’s dynamic forwards at bay.
On the flanks, captain Christopher Trimmel should operate as the right wing-back, with Derrick Kohn providing width on the opposite flank. The midfield trio is likely to feature Aljoscha Kemlein in the deep role, supported by the industrious pairing of Rani Khedira and Andras Schafer, who will be responsible for controlling transitions and disrupting Leipzig’s rhythm.
Up front, Jeong Woo-yeong should partner Ilyas Ansah, with both attackers expected to exploit spaces behind RB Leipzig’s defensive line through quick movement and counter-attacking patterns.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Ronnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Kemlein, Khedira, Schafer, Kohn; Jeong, Ansah
Leipzig enter Friday’s encounter with a significant list of absentees, which will undoubtedly influence Ole Werner’s tactical approach. Midfielder Ridle Baku is unavailable due to an ankle injury that has ruled him out of Leipzig’s recent fixtures, while exciting young forward Antonio Nusa is also sidelined with an ankle problem, depriving Werner of one of his key dribblers in the final third.
Versatile defender Benjamin Henrichs continues to recover from an Achilles tendon injury and remains out of contention. In midfield, highly rated teenager Assan Ouedraogo has missed the last three matches with a knee issue, and his return date is still uncertain. Leipzig do not have any suspensions, but the injury list forces Werner to rely heavily on the core of his senior squad.
Tactically, RB Leipzig are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to dominate possession and apply constant pressure through structured build-up and high-tempo transitions. Peter Gulacsi will take his place in goal, supported by a defensive line featuring Kosta Nedeljkovic at right-back, Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba forming the centre-back partnership, and David Raum operating as the left-back, where his marauding runs and delivery will be crucial.
The midfield trio should consist of Xaver Schlager as the deep-lying organiser, alongside Nicolas Seiwald, whose energy provides defensive balance, and Christoph Baumgartner, expected to push forward and support attacking phases.
In the front line, Johan Bakayoko will bring pace and creativity on the right wing, while Conrad Harder offers movement and finishing quality on the opposite flank. Leading the line will be Yan Diomande, who is tasked with spearheading Leipzig’s attacks and stretching the Union Berlin defence.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Nedeljkovic, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Harder, Diomande
Bakayoko arrives in this fixture as one of RB Leipzig’s most exciting attacking outlets, and his influence could be decisive against a Union Berlin side struggling for defensive stability. The Belgian winger has grown into a consistent threat on the right flank, combining explosive pace with tight ball control and sharp decision-making in the final third.
Bakayoko’s ability to isolate defenders in one-v-one situations is a hallmark of his game, and Union Berlin’s wide areas have been particularly vulnerable this season, something Leipzig will look to exploit. His diagonal runs inside often open shooting lanes for himself while creating overload opportunities for teammates such as Lois Openda or the advancing midfielders.
In a match where Leipzig are expected to dominate possession, Bakayoko’s creativity, crossing accuracy, and willingness to take risks could be the driving force behind breaking Union Berlin’s disciplined defensive structure. If he finds space early on, he has the talent to tilt the momentum firmly in RB Leipzig’s favour.
Union Berlin’s resilience at home has historically made Stadion An der Alten Forsterei a difficult place for visiting teams, but the form guide strongly tilts this matchup in RB Leipzig’s favour. Union are leaking late goals, struggling to convert chances, and showing signs of fatigue across their last three Bundesliga defeats.
Their defensive structure, once their greatest strength, now lacks cohesion, especially with several key injuries limiting Baumgart’s rotation options. Leipzig, meanwhile, come into the game with momentum and confidence after demolishing Eintracht Frankfurt 6-0. Ole Werner’s men are playing with fluidity, aggression, and attacking depth, even without several frontline stars.
Leipzig’s midfield dynamism and wide creativity, especially through Johan Bakayoko, should give them control in key areas of the pitch. Union Berlin will defend deep and compact, hoping to strike on transitions, but Leipzig’s quality and form suggest they will eventually find breakthroughs.
