Union Berlin vs Nuremberg Football tips & predictions

TEAM NEWS After a poor showing in their DFB Cup loss to Heidenheim, Union Berlin coach Norbert Duwel rang three changes for the 1-1 draw in Bochum on Matchday 3. Mohamed Amsif and Torsten Mattuschka were dropped to the bench, while Steven Skrzybski was under the weather. Duwel persisted with his 3-2-3-2 system despite criticism, and was rewarded when Fabian Schonheim linked up with striker Soren Brandy for the opening goal. The system is a work in progress, but the signs from the Bochum draw is that the players are adapting, albeit slowly. New loan signing Maximilian Thiel could feature in attack at some point after joining the club on loan on Wednesday. New Nuremberg coach Valerien Ismael made five changes ahead of his side’s 1-0 home defeat to FSV Frankfurt. Raphael Schafer and Ondrej Petrak both had muscular problems, while Willi Evseev, Martin Angha and Cristian Ramirez were all dropped. Their replacements, in particular Patrick Rakovsky in goal and Tobias Pachonik at right-back, struggled. Midfielders Danny Blum and Jan Polak are still out, as is defender Even Hovland. The growing injury list coupled with the lack of form of the two new strikers, Peniel Mlapa and Jakub Sylvestr, has added to the sense of crisis around the club – only partly alleviated by the arrival of new signings Daniel Candeias and Ondrej Celutska. -- Union Berlin: Suspended: None Doubtful: Skrzybski (cold) Injured/Unavailable: None Nuremberg: Suspended: None Doubtful: Schafer (muscular) Injured/Unavailable: Hovland (adductor), Blum (knee), Polak (ribs), Petrak (muscular) -- MATCH PREVIEW Union coach Norbert Duwel will feel his stubbornness in sticking with his 3-2-3-2 system paid off after an improved performance in the 1-1 draw with Bochum. They still weren’t the better side, however, and were ropey defensively, allowing the hosts 18 shots over the 90 minutes. The capital club’s third consecutive league draw lifted them to 12th place, and showed that if striker Soren Brandy, scorer of the first goal, finds form then they could climb the table. The visit of former Bundesliga side Nuremberg will be a good gauge of their progress. Nuremberg themselves are on a downhill slide as a 1-0 home loss to FSV Frankfurt on Matchday 3 made it three defeats in succession, including their cup exit. After experienced defender Javier Pinola missed a tenth-minute penalty, Valerien Ismael’s men never really competed, looking toothless and lacking invention after conceding in the 29th minute. Their lack of confidence coupled with Union’s own teething troubles makes this one look set for a draw.