Bayer Leverkusen vs. Union Berlin preview: Die Werkself look to put pressure on Bayern

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen have their work cut out to retain their Bundesliga crown, sitting six points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich with just six games left to play. Die Werkself will have the chance to reduce that gap to three points for at least a few hours on Saturday, with Bayern Munich set to face Borussia Dortmund in the topspiel.

Xabi Alonso’s side will be looking to claim a fourth consecutive league win in Saturday’s meeting with Union, after beating Stuttgart, Bochum and Heidenheim in recent weeks. Emi Buendia came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner in last Saturday’s away clash with Heidenheim, securing a fourth consecutive away league victory while extending their unbeaten record on the road to 31 Bundesliga matches.

Leverkusen will have home advantage this weekend, which should give them confidence due to the fact they have avoided defeat in all five of their previous top-flight home meetings with Union (D2, L3). They have also won four of their last five head-to-head matches, including a 2-1 victory in November’s reverse fixture.

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon Mario Hermoso, Martin Terrier and Jeanuël Belocian. However, in positive news, Florian Wirtz is set to return to the squad following a five-game injury absence. 

Union Berlin

Union have alleviated any relegation fears with a positive run of form that has seen them take 10 points from four matches. Steffen Baumgart’s side began that spell of results with a 2-1 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt, before they held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. 

After going on to beat Freiburg 2-1 at Europa-Park Stadion, Union made it back-to-back victories in last Sunday’s home meeting with Wolfsburg. Benedict Hollerbach’s 63rd-minute effort proved enough to secure a narrow 1-0 victory, bringing an end to Union’s four-game winless home run.

As a result of their recent form, Union are now 11 points clear of the danger zone in 13th position. While they are comfortably clear of the bottom three, Union are still motivated by the chance to claim their first-ever Bundesliga away victory over Leverkusen this weekend. In fact, they have only won just one of their 11 top-flight games against die Werkself, with that victory taking place at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei in January 2021.

Team News

The visitors are unable to call upon the services of Jeong Woo-yeong, Aljoscha Kemlein and Robert Skov.