Union have added Dominique Heintz from Freiburg to bolster defensive options and he could start after the sale of Marvin Friedrich. Niko Gießelmann is struggling with a thigh injury. Rani Khedira and Sheraldo Becker could return after COVID, but Rick van Drongelen "probably" has COVID too. Taiwo Awoniyi is a huge loss for Union while he is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. Kasim Adams and Havard Nordtveit are both over the flu, while Diadie Samassekou is in Mali's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Pavel Kaderabek is ruled out with a thigh injury. Ermin Bicakcic is still out from ACL trouble and to add insult to injury also has tested positive for COVID as has Florian Grillitsch. Sebastian Rudy and Christoph Baumgartner have shaken off muscle injuries, while Robert Skov is still out with a thigh injury.