As the Bundesliga continues in the 2025/2026 season, Union Berlin prepares to host Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on February 21, 2026. Union Berlin currently sits in 10th place with 25 points from 22 games, while Bayer Leverkusen holds 6th position with 39 points from 21 matches, positioning them as contenders for European spots. This fixture represents a matchup between a mid-table team and one pushing for continental qualification, adding intrigue to the mid-season schedule.
Union Berlin's recent form has displayed a blend of resilience and inconsistency, with the team securing a 3-2 win over Hamburg on February 14, followed by a 1-1 draw with Frankfurt on February 6. Prior to that, they achieved a 3-1 victory against Hoffenheim on January 31, and recorded 1-1 draws against both Stuttgart on January 18 and Augsburg on January 15. In contrast, Bayer Leverkusen's latest result was a dominant 4-0 win against St. Pauli on February 14, underlining their attacking strength, though specific details on their earlier games are not fully available.
Key players may play a significant role in the outcome, as Union Berlin depends on Rani Khedira as their top scorer, along with another player who has contributed five goals. However, the team faces challenges with injuries to Robert Skov, Tom Rothe, Josip Juranovic, and Diogo Leite, which could affect their lineup. For Bayer Leverkusen, Martin Terrier serves as their leading scorer, supported by a player with seven goals, but they will be without Eliesse Ben Seghir, Nathan Tella, and Mark Flekken due to injuries, while Issa Traoré and Mark Flekken are suspended, potentially impacting their defensive options.
In terms of head-to-head encounters, Bayer Leverkusen holds an advantage from their most recent meeting, a 2-0 victory over Union Berlin on October 4 of the current season. This result indicates Leverkusen's historical edge, which might lead them to focus on their counter-attacking approach based on past performances. Meanwhile, Union Berlin could leverage their home advantage and opportunities from set pieces to mount a challenge against the visitors.
Considering Bayer Leverkusen's superior league standing and recent victory, they are probably favored to secure a narrow win in this encounter. Nevertheless, Union Berlin's capacity to achieve results at home suggests it is possible that they could deliver a surprising and competitive performance, making the match closely fought.
