(Football news) Union Berlin and Ajax are ready to face each other in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie with both clubs confident about progression to the last 16. The first leg in the Netherlands ended goalless, and the domestic form of each team means that there we can expect some goals on Thursday at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. The German outfit had a goal disallowed by VAR which prevented them from returning home with a narrow lead.

Nevertheless, Urs Fischer’s remain as the favourites to progress, even after a surprise 0-0 draw to bottom-placed Schalke 04 at the weekend. Had they won that match Union Berlin would be sitting at the top of the Bundesliga standings, and Fischer needs to find a way to lift his side after a frustrating 90 minutes. On the other hand, Union Berlin are unbeaten in 10 home league fixtures this season and their only defeat on familiar territory this season came against Union SG back on September 8 in the DFB Pokal Cup.

From Ajax’s perspective, they have been very average by their own high standards this season especially on the domestic front, but this is a team that is still unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions. Ever since Johnny Heitinga took over as the interim boss as he has overseen five victories in the Eredivisie and moved Ajax to within three points of leaders Feyenoord.

They scored another four goals at the weekend, Ajax thrashed Sparta Rotterdam with a clean sheet and have conceded one goal in their last five fixtures. With both teams boasting strong defensive records as this game has the potential to be decided by small margins, yet Heitinga and his players will recognise that their opponents’ level dropped off at the weekend when they have the chance to sit above Bayern Munich.

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Leite; Juranovic, Laidouni, Khedira, Haberer, Roussillon; Behrens, Becker

Ajax possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Wijndal; Alvarez, Taylor; Berghuis, Kudus, Bergwijn; Tadic