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Union Berlin will invite local rivals Hertha Berlin to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in their 2022-23 Bundesliga opener on Saturday.
This will be a memorable occasion, as it will be the first opening-day city derby in the Bundesliga since 1965 when 1860 Munich beat promoted Bayern Munich 1-0 at home.
Union Berlin finished fifth in the league last season, winning six of their last seven games. Hertha, meanwhile, had to go through the Bundesliga relegation playoffs, overcoming Hamburg 2-1 on aggregate to retain their top-flight status.
Both teams took part in the first round of the DFP-Pokal on Sunday, where they endured contrasting fortunes. Union Berlin secured a 2-1 win over Chemnitzer, while Hertha fell to a 6-5 loss on penalties to Eintracht Braunschweig after the game ended 4-4 in regular time.
Union Berlin vs Hertha Berlin Head-to-Head
This will be the 12th edition of the Berlin derby, although the two teams have also met 13 times in friendlies. In competitive fixtures, the hosts enjoy a 5-3 lead in wins, while three games have ended in draws.
Union Berlin are on a three-game winning streak in this fixture and have faced just one defeat at home against Hertha. Union completed a league double over Hertha last season and have the upper hand in this fixture.
Union Berlin form guide (all competitions): W-W-D-W-W.
Hertha Berlin form guide (all competitions): L-L-L-L-W.
Union Berlin vs Hertha Berlin Team News
Union Berlin
Fabio Schneider is out with a knee injury. Timo Baumgartl has just returned from chemotherapy and will play no part here.
Injured: Timo Baumgartl, Fabio Schneider.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: None.
Hertha Berlin
Kelian Nsona is out with a ligament injury, while Marco Richter will only be back later this month following his tumour removal in July. Lucas Tousart will serve a suspension carried over from last season. Ngankam Jessic is struggling with a knee injury, while Dong-jun Lee is also injured.
Injured: Kelian Nsona, Marco Richter, Ngankam Jessic.
Doubtful: Dong-jun Lee.
Suspended: Lucas Tousart.
Unavailable: None.
Union Berlin vs Hertha Berlin Predicted XIs
Union Berlin (3-5-2): Frederik Ronnow (GK); Paul Jaeckel, Robin Knoche, Julian Ryerson; Christopher Trimmel, Genki Haraguchi, Rani Khedira, Andras Schafer, Niko Giesselmann; Sheraldo Becker, Theoson Siebatcheu.
Hertha Berlin (4-2-3-1): Oliver Christensen (GK); Peter Pekarik, Dedryck Boyata, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Marvin Plattenhardt; Suat Serdar, Ivan Sunjic; Vladimir Darida, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Myziane Maolida, Davie Selke.
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Union Berlin vs Hertha Berlin Prediction
Die Eisernen have been the better team in this fixture and also had a better outing in the pre-season. Hertha have a slightly longer injury list to worry about than their opponents, which might impact their performance. Union Berlin should eke out a narrow win and get their league campaign off to a winning start.
Prediction: Union Berlin 2-1 Hertha Berlin.
