As the 2023-24 Bundesliga season nears its conclusion, what began as a fairytale has become a nightmare for Union Berlin. This time last year, Die Eisernen were celebrating Champions League qualification for the first time in their history, and now they face the real possibility of relegation after a disastrous campaign.
Nenad Bjelica's side sit 14th on 30 points, level with Sunday's opponents Bochum. A goal difference of just one separates the two teams, while 16th-place Mainz languish two points behind and dangerously close to the pair.
Last week's 0-0 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach was yet another frustrating game for the Iron Ones faithful.
Once again, Bjelica's side created lots of opportunities to score, however, none were converted. Throughout the match, Union Berlin hit the bar and the post and saw the ball sail over from just a couple of yards out.
It could have got worse when former Union player Marvin Friedrich nearly found himself on the scoresheet for Gladbach in the dying embers of the game.
The point they picked up last week was their only one since the goalless draw with Frankfurt at the end of March, but it did climb them narrowly above Bochum.
As well as that, the hosts last win came versus Werder Bremen on March 16, and they have only scored once in their last five games.
Even though Bochum remain a place behind Union Berlin, the atmosphere around the club is far more optimistic following a dramatic 3-2 victory against Hoffenheim last Friday.
The win made sure that the visitors left the relegation drop zone as the Undescendables registered their first win since beating Bayern Munich 3-2 on February 18 and ended a winless run of eight.
Last week's results were also extremely favourable for Bochum, with Union Berlin and Mainz both failing to win and subsequently providing them with a lifeline.
However, the victory does not flatter the North Rhine-Westphalia based team.
Bochum were denied by goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and hit the crossbar in the opening six minutes. It was a brilliant free-kick from Kevin Stoger that broke the deadlock and catalysed a Bochum onslaught as a Felix Passlack and another Stoger goal secured the win.
In saying that, an Andrej Kramarić brace in just over 10 minutes in the last third of the game meant a nervy end to the match.
The reverse fixture finished 3-0 to Bochum; however, it is unlikely to be anywhere near as one-sided. With both sides desperate to escape the relegation drop zone, expect a cagey match.
While Union Berlin have the home advantage, the momentum is with Bochum following their emphatic win.
Therefore, given the hosts struggle for goals and the visitors free-scoring tendencies, Bochum have the edge.
Team News
Union Berlin
Seasoned Bundesliga defender Jérôme Roussillon has been struggling with a calf injury and missed last week's draw with Gladbach, whether or not he will feature this week is unknown.
Goalkeeper Jakob Busk also has the same issues and could return on Sunday alongside Roussillon.
Bochum
There will be some healthy competition for places for Bochum, with Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Patrick Osterhage returning to first-team action after serving their one-match suspension last week due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Takuma Asano was only fit enough to feature on the bench against Hoffenheim after coming off versus Wolfsburg the week prior with a thigh problem. He is thought to have recovered, although, like the names above, winning back a starting spot will be extremely tough.
Michael Esser, Moritz Kwarteng, and Mohammed Tolba are all suffering from knee injuries and are unavailable.
Niclas Thiede remains out with a broken finger.
Likely line-ups
Union Berlin
Ronnow; Gosens, Juranovic, Vogt, Leite, Doekhi; Tousart, Khedira, Aaronson; Volland, Vertessen.
Bochum
Riemann; Bernardo, Ordets, Schlotterbeck, Wittek; Stoger, Losilla, Passlack, Bero; Broschinski, Hofmann.
Key Players
When defender Ryan Gosens is your club's top goalscorer in the Bundesliga with six goals, there is cause for concern. While the wingback has to be commended for his efforts, Union Berlin have to take a look at their forward players.
To make matters worse, Die Eisernen have only managed one goal in their last five matches. Therefore, there is no denying that the hosts need to be more clinical in front of goal.
Step forward, Kevin Volland. While a return of two goals and four assists for the Iron Ones since his move from Monaco in August 2023 is not good enough, he possesses the most experience and quality of that Union Berlin frontline.
The former German international netted 28 goals in three seasons for Monaco. He also scored 77 goals in eight Bundesliga seasons for Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Subsequently, Germany in particular understands that Volland is a proven goalscorer; it is just he has yet to do this for Die Eisernen.
If they are to survive, Union cannot rely on Gosens to provide the goals, and with Yorbe Vertessen eight years Volland's junior and lacking his pedigree, he has no choice but to step up, and surely it is only a matter of time.
Bochum - Kevin Stöger
Following his brace in the 3-2 win against Hoffenheim last week to spearhead the Bochum resurgence, Kevin Stöger is the obvious pick.
So far this campaign, Stöger has been very impressive, registering seven goals and eight assists for a struggling Bochum side.
His superb free-kick, which he guided over the wall and into the top corner, broke the deadlock versus Hoffenheim. In the second half, his clever pass threaded through striker Moritz Broschinski, who struck the post, before Stöger's perseverance to follow it up resulted in his brace.
Heralded for his performances in the Bochum midfield this season, the Austrian has been the pivotal technician at the heart of everything for the visitors, pulling the strings and dictating play. While he is dangerous at No. 10, he also never neglects the defensive side of the game.
Stöger is a difference-maker and talisman for Bochum, something Union Berlin lacks. The importance of this cannot be understated, and it has been the midfielder who has been largely responsible for Bochum's gradual revival in recent weeks.
Match Details
Where is the match being played?
The match is being played at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.
What time is kick-off?
The match is set to kick off on Sunday at 14:30 (GMT).
Where can I watch the match?
UK viewers can watch this match on the Sky Sports Arena channel and can also follow via the Sky Sports website or App.