Union Berlin – 1. FC Köln

Recent form · Written before the match

On October 24, Union drew 1-1 at Augsburg despite being at a numerical disadvantage for a long period after Felix Uduokhai was sent off in the 19th minute and Juma Bah in the 63rd. On the same day, Köln drew 0-0 at home against Schalke, creating several chances but lacking precision against a compact block.

After matchday 7, Köln are 11th with 8 points and Union are 17th with 6 points, with a goal difference of 6-18. Partial archives mention other earlier results, but they do not reliably establish the last five matches or provide a complete comparison of current form.

xG, shots and pressing metrics are not included due to the lack of a verified, consistent period and provider for both teams.

Head-to-head · Written before the match

The documented recent head-to-head matches are: Köln 0-1 Union on December 20, 2025, in the Bundesliga; Union 2-2 Köln on May 2, 2026, in the Bundesliga; Köln 3-2 Union on May 11, 2024, in the Bundesliga. The first two precedents are the closest, but their prédictive valeur remains limited because the squads, coaches and context have changed.

The May 2024 match is older and should not be given priority.

Absences and returns

Uduokhai and Juma Bah were sent off at Augsburg on 24 October, but the length and application of their suspensions against Köln have not been confirmed. No complete medical report confirms the current absences.

The goalkeepers and starters for 1 November remain to be confirmed.

Context & news

Scenario favorable to Union: its compact block and transitions could exploit Köln’s difficulties progressing against a packed defence; the 1-0 result in December 2025 illustrates this mechanism. Scenario favorable to Köln: its attacks down the flanks and passes behind the line could take advantage of a reshuffled or disorganized Union defence, while its lack of precision observed against Schalke could be corrected.

The assessment depends mainly on any suspensions and the official line-ups.

Lineups and squad

The match is scheduled for Sunday 1 November 2026 at 14:30 UTC, i.e. 15:30 local time, at the Alte Försterei, Union Berlin’s home ground. Frederik Rönnow started in goal for Union at Augsburg on 24 October.

Marvin Schwäbe was in goal for Köln against Schalke, with Joel Schmied on the bench and Mikey Moore starting. These line-ups do not confirm the starting elevens for 1 November.

No official line-up has been announced.