Bundesliga: Union Berlin’s Road to Safety Just Got Even Harder

Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich

It has been a forgettable campaign for Union Berlin because they’re unable to build off their top four finish last season, so they probably can’t wait for 2023-24 to end.

But with the threat of relegation from the Bundesliga looming, Nenad Bjelica’s men must maintain their focus, especially when Bayern Munich visit Alte Forsterei on Saturday night.

Union Berlin are currently 13^th in the table with 29 points. But they’re only three points ahead of 16^th-placed Mainz, who are on a four-game undefeated run, and it doesn’t help that they haven’t won in a while.

Like Union Berlin, Bayern Munich must also maintain their focus too even if their main priority right now is winning the Champions League after losing the domestic title to Bayer Leverkusen. Thomas Tuchel’s men are in second place, level with VfB Stuttgart at 63 points.

Talking Points

No goals, no wins for Union Berlin

One key reason why Union Berlin are where they are right now is because of their lack of goals. As it stands, Nenad Bjelica’s side has the second-worst tally this season with 25 goals, which is only two more than 17^th-placed Koln.

Their best source of goals has been Robin Gosens (seven goals). However, the former Inter Milan midfielder hasn’t found the back of the net since February, when they drew 2-2 against Heidenheim.

It has been more than a month since Die Eisernen scored a league goal when they beat Werder Bremen 2-1. Union Berlin went on a three-game winless run since then (D1, L2) because they couldn’t score against Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, and Augsburg.

Nenad Bjelica has yet to find an effective combination in the final third, especially since Sheraldo Becker left the team in January. In the past few games, Union Berlin have leaned on to their youngsters Benedict Hollerbach, Yorbe Vertessen, Mikkel Kaufmann, and Brenden Aaronson, but to no avail.

With Mainz, VfL Bochum, and VfL Wolfsburg breathing down their necks, Union Berlin have to get back to winning ways fast in order to avoid relegation. However, a draw against Bayern Munich is already a huge win in itself.

Kimmich thriving as Bayern Munich’s right-back

After playing in the middle of the park for most of his Bayern Munich career, Joshua Kimmich has moved to right-back, and it has been paying dividends for the Bavarians.

Although they’ve had mixed Bundesliga 2024 results with Kimmich as their starting right-back, Bayern Munich exercised patience with their gameplan, and it was worth it since he was arguably the best player on the pitch in their 1-0 win over Arsenal yesterday to help them advance to the Champions League semi-finals.

Joshua Kimmich scored the 63^rd-minute winner when he headed the ball from Raphael Guerreiro’s cross. But even before that, he had already been solid at the right flank, as Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli had a difficult time creating for the Gunners.

History

Union Berlin and Bayern Munich were supposed to meet in the first week of December for Nenad Bjelica’s head coaching debut, but it was postponed due to extreme weather conditions.

Their first Bundesliga matchup of the 2023-24 season was moved to the third week of January as a result. In that game, the Bavarians beat Die Eisernen 1-0 as Raphael Guerreiro found the back of the net after halftime.

Before that, Bayern Munich won 3-0 as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Kingsley Coman, and Jamal Musiala all scored.

Bayern Munich have not lost any of their nine Bundesliga matches against Union Berlin (W6, D3). However, Thomas Tuchel’s side has only won once in their last five Bundesliga away matches (D1, L3).

The Bavarians have already conceded 15 goals in six Bundesliga road games in 2024, which is only four less than league-leading Hoffenheim (19).

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2024 odds favour Bayern Munich to beat Union Berlin this weekend. Bayern Munich are priced at 1.55 to win, whereas Union Berlin are 4.79 underdogs, and a draw is at 4.02 odds in the 1X2 market.

Their previous meeting only had one goal, but we feel that such a trend won’t continue this weekend. Hence, other than going for a Bayern Munich win, SBOTOP bettors may also go for Total Goals 2-3 at 2.06, Total Goals 4-6 at 2.68, and Over 3.25 at 2.21.

However, if you don’t feel the same way, then check out Total Goals 0-1 at 4.60, Under 2.75 at 2.17, or Correct Score of 1-0 in favour of Bayern Munich since it has an offer of 8.60.

 

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