Berlin derby starts week two Bundesliga action

The second round of Bundesliga action gets underway with a Berlin derby between Hertha and Union at the Olympiastadion.

In the first meeting between the two teams at An der Alten Försterei, Sebastien Polter’s second half penalty sealed a famous win in the first ever Bundesliga Berlin derby.

Union have only won three times on the road this season however, having acquired 19 of their 30 points in front of their passionate fanbase.

Hertha will be full of confidence heading into the fixture after their 3-0 dispatching of Hoffenheim last weekend, veteran striker Vedad Ibisevic, who scored in the win, likely to battle with Krzysztof Piatek for the starting berth up front. 

Union have never lost in their visits to the Olympiastadion (one win, one draw) and have scored in all five of the Berlin derbies these two teams have contested.

They will most likely recall top scorer Sebastian Andersson (11 goals) to the starting 11, the Swede only deemed fit enough for the bench in Union’s 2-0 loss to Bayern last weekend. 

Team News 

Urs Fischer’s men will be without Keven Schlotterbeck for the fixture through suspension whilst Sheraldo Backer and Akaki Gogia are also doubts for the visitors from across the capital.

Salomon Kalou remains to be left out of the Hertha squad after breaching coronavirus social-distancing rules. Karim Rekik remains out with a knee injury whilst Marius Wolf is a doubt with an ankle injury.