A negative record, managerial sackings and finally the return of once-successful coach Dieter Hecking – the team from the Autostadt have been through some turbulent times of late. They are currently the only team in the Bundesliga yet to secure a win in the second half of the season. At the start of March, the club therefore pulled the emergency brake once again, as Daniel Bauer was replaced by Hecking, who led VfL to DFB Pokal victory in 2015. Yet even under the 61-year-old, the engine has so far only been idling. They’ve recorded just one draw and three defeats so far. Although the gap to the relegation play-off spot has remained at four points, the number of games left on the clock is, of course, dwindling.

Despite all the misery, one should not forget that Wolfsburg are playing their 29th season in the top flight, having never been relegated since their promotion. It has, however, has been touch-and-go on several occasions. In 2017 against Eintracht Braunschweig and in 2018 against Holstein Kiel, they only saved themselves in the play-off, while on three other occasions they finished in 15th place. So, the club know how the relegation battle works and also how to escape it.

Perhaps VfL can rely on their financial clout and the experience in their squad over the final stretch of the season. With a market value of over 230 million euros, the have the eighth most expensive squad in the league, including seasoned players such as Christian Eriksen and Maximilian Arnold. The left-footed Arnold, a long-serving captain and ever-present, has been carrying an injury recently, but is set to reach a real milestone this weekend in his 400th Bundesliga match.

After 16 competitive matches between the sides to date, the record still favours the Lower Saxony side. Wolfsburg have won eight of of 14 Bundesliga games, promotion play-offs to the 2. Bundesliga in 1991/92, and one DFB-Pokal clash. Union have won five.

Union's coaching staff will have to do without the services of Matheo Raab, Wooyeong Jeong, and David Preu on Saturday.

"Wolfsburg have tremendous attacking quality and individual talent – even if their league position suggests that things haven’t gone entirely smoothly for them in recent weeks. They give their opponents plenty of space and opportunities, which we intend to make the most of. I am firmly convinced that we can effectively neutralise Wolfsburg’s quality. We won’t be a team that lets them build up play,” said head coach Marie-Louise Eta at her pre-match press conference.

"We still have a chance, but we don’t need to look left and right; we need the win. Without the win, it’s all just empty talk. The realistic target is 16th place, but to achieve that you have to start picking up points. We can’t wait much longer, because at some point the season will be over,” said VfL head coach Dieter Hecking.

As usual, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei opens two hours before kick-off. The match is sold out in both the home and away sections.  

There is still significant disruption to public transport; travel via the “Altstadt Köpenick” tram routes is also only possible via rail replacement services. All visitors are therefore advised to arrive early.

Due to restricted access to the forest path on Hämmerlingstraße, it is recommended to use the route along the Hämmerlinghalle and the car park. The police ask that you read this open letter (German)