Union Berlin vs Hertha Berlin prediction, preview, team news and more | Bundesliga 2022-23

Hertha Berlin and Union Berlin will meet in the Bundesliga opener on Saturday.

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.

Back a #BerlinDerby baller. 🤝👇

❤️ = @SheraldoBecker
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#Bundesliga | @FCUnion_en | @HerthaBSC_EN https://t.co/LYxzgTOaZX

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.

Every beginning is difficult, but the win matters. Now time to focus on the derby. 😤 @fcunion https://t.co/n4cAAJHMc4

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.