Opening round fixtures don’t get much bigger than a derby between bitter rivals in Germany’s capital city.
Union Berlin will play host to their neighbours as they look to have another strong season in the top division after achieving European qualification for the second season running last time out.
Hertha Berlin will be starting the Sandro Schwarz era on Saturday as they look to stay well clear of the relegation picture this season.
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Team News
Before looking at both teams team news going into derby, I would like to say it was great to see Hertha’s Marco Richter and Union’s Timo Baumgartl back in training this week after their cancer diagnosis.
Some things are more important than football.
Die Eisernen go into the new season with a fully fit squad as they face their city rivals.
Manager, Urs Fischer, gave little away in his pre-match press conference but did say new signings Diogo Leite and Morten Thorsby could be in line for debuts on Saturday.
Other new signing Jordan Siebatcheu, is set to lead the line for Die Eisernen after his debut goal last week in Union’s first round win in the DFB Pokal, against Chemnitz.
It’s a different story for Die Alte Dame who go into the game with several first team players missing.
Omar Alderete, Dongjun Lee, Jessic Ngankam, Kelian Nsona and Marco Richter are all out with injuries but aren’t far away from returning to match action.
French midfielder Lucas Tousart will be unavailable on Saturday, as he serves a suspension, that he has carried over from last season.
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Likely Lineups
Ronnow, Jaeckel, Knoche, Heintz, Trimmel, Khedira, Haraguchi, Haberer, Gießelmann, Becker, Siebatcheu
Christensen, Kenny, Boyata, Kempf, Plattenhardt, Šunjić, Serder, Boateng, Lukebakio, Selke, Maolida
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Key Players
Union Berlin: Jordan Siebatcheu
Union’s new star striker will be crucial to any success the Berlin side will have on Saturday and this upcoming season.
The forward has big shoes to fill as he tries to replace last season’s top scorer for the club in Taiwo Awoniyi, who moved onto newly promoted Premier League side, Nottingham Forest.
If the American gets near Awoniyi’s goal tally of 15 goals this season then he is sure to be a fan favourite at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
He started his Union career well last weekend scoring on debut against Chemnitz but he will be looking to go one better this weekend in his home debut.
Hertha Berlin: Kevin-Prince Boateng
This season will be the journey man’s last, but he still has a huge role to play this season for his boyhood club.
The 35-year-old announced in the summer that he will hang up his boots at the end of this season after he was given a one-year contract extension from Hertha, after helping them stave off relegation last term.
The Ghanian will need to be at his creative best this season to make sure Hertha aren’t in the same situation this season.
The signing of defensive midfielder, Ivan Šunjić, should give the attacking midfielder freedom to express himself and create chances for Die Alte Dame’s pacey frontline.
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Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The derby will be played at Union’s home stadium, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. It is sure to be a raucous atmosphere in this fan built stadium this weekend.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off for this opening round match is scheduled to be at 14:30 GMT.
How can I watch?
The match won’t be available for UK viewers but fans in the US will be able to watch the game live on ESPN+.