Match Information
Match Overview
Union Berlin welcome FC St. Pauli to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for Matchday 28 of the Bundesliga season, with both teams fighting for crucial points in their respective battles. This regular season fixture carries significant implications as Union Berlin sit 9th with 31 points, desperately needing to climb the table, while FC St. Pauli occupy 16th position with just 24 points, dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Union Berlin's recent form tells a story of inconsistency that has hampered their campaign. Under Steffen Baumgart's guidance, they've managed only 8 wins from 27 matches, with a concerning goal difference of -15. Their attacking struggles are evident, having scored just 31 goals this season, while their defensive fragility has seen them concede 46 times. The recent 4-0 thrashing by Bayern München highlighted their vulnerability against quality opposition, though a 1-0 victory over Freiburg showed they can still grind out results when needed.
St. Pauli's situation is even more precarious under Alexander Blessin's management. With only 6 wins all season and the second-worst attack in the division (24 goals), they've struggled to find the clinical edge required at this level. Their away form has been particularly concerning, managing just 2 wins and 10 losses in 14 road trips. Recent results including defeats to Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach have intensified the pressure.
The injury situation could prove decisive for both sides. St. Pauli will be without key defensive players Taiyo Ando and Eric Smith, who featured in their last game lineup, forcing Blessin to reshuffle his backline. Robert Jones and Jackson Sands are also sidelined, limiting attacking options. Union Berlin have fewer concerns with only goalkeeper Marius Raab definitely out and Robert Skov questionable, giving Baumgart more tactical flexibility.
This encounter represents a crucial opportunity for Union Berlin to build momentum while St. Pauli must find resilience to climb away from danger.
Predicted Lineups
Union Berlin
F. Rønnow; D. Doekhi, L. Querfeld, S. Nsoki; C. Trimmel, J. Haberer, A. Kemlein, R. Khedira, D. Köhn; T. Skarke, L. Burcu
FC St. Pauli
N. Vasilj; H. Wahl, K. Mets, D. Nemeth; A. Pyrka, M. Rasmussen, J. Irvine, L. Ritzka; J. Fujita, M. Pereira Lage; D. Sinani
Team Form Analysis
Union Berlin
Union Berlin Form Analysis
Union Berlin's recent form reflects a team struggling to find consistency in their second consecutive Bundesliga campaign. Their record of 8 wins, 7 draws, and 12 losses from 27 matches places them in the bottom half of the table, a significant disappointment after their impressive European adventures in previous seasons.
Defensively, Union Berlin have been particularly vulnerable, conceding 46 goals at an average of 1.7 per game. This represents a stark contrast to the solid defensive foundation that characterized their rise through German football. The recent 4-0 defeat to Bayern München and 4-1 loss to Werder Bremen at home exemplify their defensive frailties against teams with pace and movement in the final third.
Offensively, Union's struggles are equally concerning with just 31 goals scored, making them one of the lowest-scoring teams in the division. Their attack lacks the cutting edge and clinical finishing required at this level, often creating chances but failing to convert them. However, they've shown glimpses of their potential with victories over quality opposition like Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, suggesting the tactical framework remains sound when executed properly.
Their home form at the Alte Försterei has been mixed, with 4 wins and 5 draws from 13 matches, indicating they can still be competitive in familiar surroundings.
FC St. Pauli
FC St. Pauli Form Analysis
FC St. Pauli's return to the Bundesliga has proven challenging, with their current form indicating a genuine relegation battle ahead. Their tally of 6 wins from 27 matches represents one of the poorest records in the division, highlighting the significant step up in quality from the 2. Bundesliga.
The attacking statistics paint a concerning picture, with only 24 goals scored representing the second-worst offensive output in the league. This lack of cutting edge has been particularly pronounced in away fixtures, where they've managed just 10 goals in 14 matches. The creativity in the final third appears limited, with few players capable of producing match-winning moments when the pressure intensifies.
Defensively, St. Pauli have conceded 44 goals, suggesting structural issues that Alexander Blessin continues to address. Their recent clean sheet against Eintracht Frankfurt demonstrated their capability to organize effectively, but this has been the exception rather than the rule. The defensive injuries to key players like Taiyo Ando and Eric Smith have further complicated their tactical setup.
Their away form of 2 wins, 2 draws, and 10 losses from 14 matches highlights the scale of their traveling troubles. The psychological pressure of fighting relegation appears to be affecting their performances, particularly in hostile environments where confidence becomes crucial for executing game plans effectively.
Head-to-Head
Union Berlin
FC St. Pauli
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-23 | FC St. Pauli | 0 - 1 | Union Berlin |
| 2025-01-26 | FC St. Pauli | 3 - 0 | Union Berlin |
| 2024-08-30 | Union Berlin | 1 - 0 | FC St. Pauli |
| 2022-12-21 | Union Berlin | 3 - 2 | FC St. Pauli |
| 2022-03-01 | Union Berlin | 2 - 1 | FC St. Pauli |
| 2019-02-04 | FC St. Pauli | 3 - 2 | Union Berlin |
| 2018-08-26 | Union Berlin | 4 - 1 | FC St. Pauli |
| 2018-04-14 | FC St. Pauli | 0 - 1 | Union Berlin |
| 2017-11-04 | Union Berlin | 1 - 0 | FC St. Pauli |
| 2017-03-10 | FC St. Pauli | 1 - 2 | Union Berlin |
Memorable Matches
The recent history between Union Berlin and FC St. Pauli has produced several compelling encounters across different competitions and divisions. The most recent Bundesliga meeting in November 2025 saw Union Berlin secure a narrow 1-0 victory at the Millerntor-Stadion, continuing their historical advantage in this fixture.
Perhaps the most memorable clash came during their 2. Bundesliga days in January 2025, when St. Pauli delivered a stunning 3-0 victory over Union Berlin at home. This result showcased St. Pauli's potential when everything clicks, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of this matchup despite the teams' contrasting fortunes.
Their DFB Pokal quarter-final encounter in March 2022 provided another dramatic chapter, with Union Berlin prevailing 2-1 at home in a tense affair. The match highlighted the competitive spirit between these clubs, with both teams displaying the fighting qualities that have defined their respective journeys through German football.
The August 2024 meeting that saw Union Berlin win 1-0 at their fortress demonstrated their home advantage, while St. Pauli's historical 3-2 victory in February 2019 during their 2. Bundesliga encounters showed their capacity for producing memorable comebacks when the stakes are high.
Venue Factor
The Stadion An der Alten Försterei has traditionally been a fortress for Union Berlin, though this season has seen some of that mystique diminish. The unique atmosphere created by their passionate fanbase, with the famous standing terraces, typically provides significant psychological advantage, particularly against teams struggling with confidence like St. Pauli.
Union Berlin's home record this season shows 4 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses from 13 matches, indicating the venue factor hasn't been as decisive as in previous campaigns. However, they've still managed important victories against quality opposition like Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, suggesting the intimidating atmosphere can still influence key moments in matches.
For St. Pauli, traveling to Berlin represents one of the more challenging away fixtures in German football. Their away record of 2 wins from 14 matches demonstrates their struggles in hostile environments, where the combination of vocal home support and unfamiliar surroundings often proves overwhelming.
The compact nature of the stadium, with fans close to the pitch, creates an intensity that can either inspire Union Berlin to greater heights or potentially increase pressure if they fall behind early. St. Pauli will need to weather the initial storm and try to silence the crowd to have any chance of securing a crucial result in their relegation fight.
Injury Concerns
Union Berlin
FC St. Pauli
