Union Berlin Vs Leverkusen: Leverkusen Hunting More Momentum as Union Seek First Win of 2026

In the build-up to union berlin vs leverkusen, the visitors arrive on the back of a rich vein of form while the hosts remain without a league win in 2026. That contrast in momentum, plus fresh squad news and confirmed lineups, frames what promises to be a strategically tense meeting at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

Union Berlin Vs Leverkusen: Form, stakes and first-goal significance

Union are still searching for their first win of 2026, having failed to win in seven Bundesliga matches since the turn of the year (D4, L3). The club have lost three of their previous four matches, including a 3-2 defeat in last Saturday’s away clash with Hamburg, and have slipped into the bottom half of the table while retaining a six-point cushion from the bottom three. A longstanding difficulty this season has been coming from conceding early: Union have failed to win any of the 11 Bundesliga games in which they have conceded the first goal (D4, L7). That pattern makes the opening exchanges especially important for the home side.

Leverkusen form, injury context and Hjulmand’s tactical warning

Leverkusen arrive buoyant, having won six of their previous seven competitive matches (D1) and claiming victories in their last two outings: a 4-0 league success over St. Pauli last Saturday and a 2-0 midweek win at Olympiacos. The visitors are pushing for a return to the Champions League places, sitting sixth and three points adrift of the top four, and the club’s recent defensive solidity is notable—across their last seven games in all competitions they have conceded just two goals. A number of defensive returns have coincided with that run, and one defender has been singled out as bringing energy and stability to the back line.

The Leverkusen coach has urged caution ahead of the trip, stressing that his side must not be naive to the Union test. Preparations hinge on tactical work focused on structure and positioning, with particular attention paid to the differences between the opponents. Union’s game was highlighted as involving long balls, intense duels and a strong press; Leverkusen plan to be alert to those traits while maintaining their own approach.

Confirmed and predicted lineups: selection notes for union berlin vs leverkusen

Team selections underline both clubs’ intentions. Union are missing several players through injury and will be unable to call upon Diogo Leite, Tom Roth, Josip Juranović and Robert Skov. A predicted starting eleven for Union shows a back three/four combination and a frontline including Ilić.

• Predicted Union Berlin lineup: Rønnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Nsoki; Haberer, Khedira, Kemlein, Köhn; Jeong, Burke/Schäfer; Ilić.

Leverkusen’s confirmed eleven reinforces their recent form with a selection that features the defensive pieces that have helped reduce goals conceded in recent weeks. They too have injury absences to manage but travel with clear confidence from recent results.

• Confirmed Leverkusen lineup: Blaswich; Bade, Andrich, Tapsoba; Aleix García, Fernández; Arthur, Tillman, Maza, Grimaldo; Kofane.

Both sets of personnel choices suggest a contest in which defensive discipline and set-piece/transition moments will be decisive. For Union, finally breaking the pattern of conceding first would be transformative; for Leverkusen, taking an early lead would likely allow them to control the game and protect their winning run.

What to watch and what’s next

Key tactical flashpoints include how Leverkusen cope with Union’s long-ball and pressing tendencies, and whether Union can find a way to prevent early concessions that have undermined their results this term. Momentum and fitness will also shape the tie: Leverkusen’s recent run and midweek win at Olympiacos provide confidence, while Union’s urgent need for three points adds pressure that could produce urgency or errors.

Confirmed lineups and the tactical framing from both camps set up a clash with clear directional narratives: Union desperate to arrest a winless run in 2026, and Leverkusen aiming to continue their red-hot form while remaining tactically wary of a difficult away test. Recent updates indicate squad availability and form likely to influence the game; further developments may evolve as matchday approaches.