Bundesliga: All To Play For At Borussia

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Union Berlin

The race for the final Champions League qualification spot in the Bundesliga could hardly be closer.

As it stands, Borussia Monchengladbach have the edge but it’s mighty tight and, after being held by basement battlers Werder Bremen in midweek, the Foals know a home win is essential as they welcome Union Berlin to Borussia Park.

There’s also the small matter of a shock winter defeat to avenge.

Talking Points

It had been an emphatic start back to action for the hosts after the enforced break as they created Bundesliga highlights from virtually the first whistle.

Two goals inside the opening seven minutes saw them see off Eintracht Frankfurt in style before they were brought back down to earth with a bump as they were well beaten at home by fellow European chasing rivals Bayer Leverkusen.

That, followed by the midweek draw at Bremen, has left them hanging onto fourth spot by a whisker with six league matches remaining.

On Sunday, the hosts may have another 13,000 cardboard cut-outs of supporters in place in the absence of spectators, but they will need a much improved showing if they are to see off opponents who are determined to ensure their maiden campaign in the top flight isn’t a one-season wonder.

Union Berlin are determined to keep their place in Bundesliga as they face match favourites Borussia Monchengladbach — Union Berlin’s Marcus Ingvartsen celebrate scoring a goal against Mainz

If ever their spirit was doubted, look at how Union Berlin played for more than 45 minutes with 10 men as they battled to a 1-1 home draw with Mainz on Wednesday to stay just above the drop zone.

Despite this, they have gone five games without a win so can hardly boast of being in-form themselves either.

Preparations for this weekend presumably haven’t been helped by the internal wranglings which has seen forward Sebastian Polter been told he will not play for the club again as he does not adhere to its “fundamental values”.

The 29 year-old striker’s contract expires at the end of June and, while it is not yet clear what transgression he’s alleged to have committed, reports in Germany suggest it relates to the decision made in March for Union’s players to waive their salaries during the coronavirus pandemic.

He will be joined on the sidelines by midfielder Robert Andrich who misses the game through suspension and is likely to be replaced by Grischa Prömel alongside Christian Gentner in the centre of the park.

It all points to a win for the home side who will no doubt rely on Marcus Thuram and Alassane Plea, their most potent attacking force this season with nine goals and eight assists, just one ahead of Thuram who has eight of each.

I expect that duo to make the difference on Sunday.

Marco Rose’s men are fourth in the table and remain on course for a return to the Champions League after a four-year hiatus. That should be incentive enough.

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Bundesliga

History

Early season league leaders Gladbach were riding high when these teams last met in November, having won eight of their previous 10 games.

However, Union Berlin caused a shock at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, running out 2-0 home winners, courtesy of goals in each half from Anthony Ujah and Sebastian Andersson.

It was their first ever meeting in the top flight.

Of the 52 teams Monchengladbach have faced in the Bundesliga, Union are the only one they are yet to beat.

Union have actually come out on top in their two previous meetings as they also won the reverse fixture, triumphing on penalties in the 2001 German Cup semi-finals.

Neven Subotic and Rose were teammates at Mainz. The former made his Bundesliga debut in the latter’s final German top-flight outing in May 2007.

Betting Tip

	Borussia Monchengladbach vs Union Berlin	First Half 1X2 Borussia Monchengladbach @ 2.17
	May 31, 21:30 (GMT+8)

Unsurprisingly, the SBOBET Bundesliga betting odds make the home side clear favourites.

They are priced 1X2 @ 1.52 with the draw @ 4.20 and a Union Belin success out @ 5.80.

With Asian Handicap odds, it’s a similar scenario with Monchengladbach available to back -0.75 @ 1.68, -1.00 @ 1.88 and -1.25 @ 2.19.

The visitors can be backed +1.00 @ 2.05 and + 0.75 @ 2.33.

It’s fair to predict goals in this encounter with over 3.00 goals on offer @ 2.16, total goal 4-6 @ 2.97 and total goal 0-1 adrift @ 4.10.

A repeat of the surprise earlier this term – correct score 0-2 – will payout @ 48.00, while if the hosts are to reverse that scoreline you will find odds of @ 7.40.