Bundesliga Hertha Berlin vs Union Berlin
Hertha Berlin will host Union Berlin at the Olympiastadion on Saturday (January 28) in the Bundesliga.
The hosts have endured a rather poor campaign, finding themselves in the drop zone with half the season gone. Hertha lost 5-0 at home against Wolfsburg in their last league outing and were perhaps fortunate not to have lost by a larger margin. Hertha have picked up just 14 points from 17 games this season and are 17th in the standings.
Lukebakio got seven goals for Hertha before the winter break but the Belgian could do little to prevent his side from slumping to a 5-0 defeat at home to Wolfsburg in midweek. That followed a 3-1 defeat in Bochum – two results that have left the Old Lady languishing second from bottom in the table.
Sandro Schwarz Statement
Head coach Sandro Schwarz has called for more intensity and aggression in their game as they seek to bounce back, and he feels the derby is the perfect chance to change the mood around the club. Hertha, however, must do without centre-back Agustin Rogel this weekend.
The Uruguayan would have been suspended anyway but picked up an injury against Wolfsburg, while former Celtic and Everton right-back Jonjoe Kenny is also out.
Filip Uremovic – who came on at half-time on Tuesday – is likely to replace Rogel again, while veteran Peter Pekarik is likely to come in for Kenny. Striker Florian Niederlechner joined from Augsburg over the winter, meanwhile, and he could come into contention for a place on the bench if he proves his fitness.
Union are flying high in second after back-to-back wins since the league resumed. They followed a thrilling comeback against Hoffenheim last weekend by fighting back to beat Werder Bremen 2-1 on Wednesday.
New signing Josip Juranovic had a successful debut in Bremen, but club captain Trimmel could replace the Croatian for the derby. Trimmel and Union have enjoyed this fixture recently, with the latest of four consecutive wins over Hertha coming on the opening day of the season.
Jordan’s Debut for club in Bundesliga
American striker Jordan scored a debut goal in that 3-1 success but he was rested in midweek. It could be a toss-up between him and Kevin Behrens – who took his chance to start by scoring the winner against Bremen – to see who joins Sheraldo Becker in attack.
Union, meanwhile, have returned to competitive action on a positive note, shaking off their poor run of results just before the winter break. They beat Werder Bremen 2-1 in their last game, with Janik Haberer and Kevin Behrens getting on the scoresheet in either half to help overturn an early deficit.
The hosts have endured a rather poor campaign, finding themselves in the drop zone with half the season gone. Hertha lost 5-0 at home against Wolfsburg in their last league outing and were perhaps fortunate not to have lost by a larger margin. Hertha have picked up just 14 points from 17 games this season and are 17th in the standings.
Hertha Berlin vs Union Berlin head to head
Lukebakio has three goals in five Berlin derby games in his career, including a consolation strike in the opening-day defeat earlier this season.
Hertha have conceded eight goals in their first two matches of 2023.
Schwarz’s team were beaten only three times in their first nine Bundesliga games of the campaign, but they have since lost six of their last eight league matches.
Trimmel – who has four assists this season – has a career record of five wins, one draw and two defeats in eight derby games.
Union scored 12 goals in their four successive wins over Hertha. They had won only two of the previous eight derby fixtures.
Urs Fischer’s team have a club record 33 points after 17 Matchdays. They have, however, failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven league games.
