**Union Berlin host Köln fresh off a 5-0 hammering — and this is the revenge fixture nobody saw coming.** 🔥 These two just played each other; Köln absolutely dismantled Union at home. Now it's payback time at An der alten Försterei, but both sides are hobbled by injury.

Union have won more head-to-heads (10 vs 5), so the historical edge matters on home turf. Still, Köln just proved they can dismantle this defense, while Union's backline is stretched thin with **Markgraf** out and **Uduokhai** suspended. Köln, though, are also patched up — missing **Skhiri**, **Dallinga**, and **Hübers**.

Key storylines:

- **Union's defensive crisis** vs Köln's cutting-edge attack — both sides short-handed but Köln's 5-0 win is the elephant in the room
- **Haberer and Burcu** running Union's midfield against **Krauß and Jóhannesson** — midfield battle could swing it
- Home-ground therapy — Union need a response after that drubbing, but Köln travel in genuine form

Expected lineups:

- **1. FC Union Berlin**: Rønnow, Rothe, Van Den Bosch, Querfeld, Juranović, Khedira, Aebischer, Burcu, Jeong, Haberer, Latte Lath
- **1. FC Köln**: Schwäbe, Sosa, Simpson-Pusey, Lochoshvili, Sebulonsen, Krauß, Jóhannesson, Maina, El Mala, Bülter, Ache

Prediction:

**2-1 Union Berlin.** Home pressure and historical advantage edge them past a Köln side still dangerous but stretched.