“They make every game an uncomfortable experience for the opponent and they’re more than capable of hurting anyone, but we’re well prepared,” explained Ole Werner at Thursday’s press conference ahead of the away game against Union. “We want to build on our recent form and will travel to Berlin full of confidence. We’re looking forward to the game and the special atmosphere.”
RB Leipzig could be in for a real battle on Friday night (20:30 CET). Union Berlin have committed the second-most fouls in the league (176) and rely on tall, physically strong defenders to impose themselves.
But recent form and the head-to-head record are firmly in our favour. We’re unbeaten in the last four meetings (W2, D2). Want more key facts? Keep scrolling.
1. Milestone appearance for Baumi
Christoph Baumgartner is set to make his 100th competitive appearance for RB Leipzig. His debut came on 25th August 2023 in a 5-1 win over VfB Stuttgart. Baumi has scored 20 goals and recorded 10 assists in his 99 games for the Red Bulls to date.
The Austrian is enjoying an excellent season so far, contributing to 15 goals in just 16 competitive games – already a personal best for him, despite the campaign not even being at the halfway stage yet.
The 26-year-old had a hand in three goals last time out against Frankfurt. He’s recorded 11 goal contributions in the Bundesliga in 2025/26 (6 goals, 5 assists), the fourth most of all players – behind the Bayern trio of Harry Kane (20), Michael Olise (14) and Luis Díaz (13).
2. Both teams enjoy playing under the floodlights
Union Berlin are unbeaten at home on a Friday night in the Bundesliga since September 2019, winning seven fixtures and drawing the other two during this period.
RBL are also happy playing on Friday nights. Our record on this day of the week in the Bundesliga reads: 27 games, 16 wins, seven draws and four defeats.
3. The league’s quickest starters
Conrad Harder set the tone early in the 6-0 win over Frankfurt, heading in his first Bundesliga goal in the fifth minute to pave the way for a seventh home victory in seven competitive matches this season. In total, the Red Bulls have already scored six goals in the opening quarter of an hour – a joint-league high alongside Leverkusen.
Across the Bundesliga, RBL are also the only team yet to concede in the first 15 minutes.
4. A thorn in Bayern’s side this season
Union Berlin have already shown this season that they can upset the favourites. They’re the only Bundesliga side to have taken a point off Bayern, and they also pushed the league leaders close in the DFB-Pokal, losing narrowly in their meeting a few weeks ago – the same Bayern team RBL will face in the quarter-finals.
Despite losing each of their last three competitive matches, including against Heidenheim (2-1) and Wolfsburg (3-1), Union shouldn’t be underestimated.
5. Set pieces could be decisive
Union are at their most dangerous from set pieces. Eight of their 16 goals this season have come from dead-ball situations – only Freiburg can match that record across the Bundesliga.
However, on Friday they come up against the league’s strongest side when it comes to set plays. We’ve conceded only two goals from set pieces so far this season, a league low.
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