German Bundesliga - Union Berlin vs. Bayern Munich - Preview & Prediction
By Valdis Pans
Currently enjoying their first Bundesliga campaign with some considerable success, Union Berlin is set to play host to the league-leading Bayern Munich, who are aiming to win their eighth consecutive title. Kick-off - at 12:00 PM ET on Sunday, May 17.
Union Berlin Defy Expectations
It is hard not to like Union Berlin! Being one of Europe’s rare ‘cult’ clubs, the team started its existence as an anti-establishment side in East Germany and sports some of the most dedicated fans, who even went as far as to donate blood to raise money for the club’s licence to compete in Germany’s fourth division in 2004. Union Berlin’s first ever campaign in the Bundesliga has been astonishing so far! Considered by many to fail rapidly, the team currently sits 11th in the standings with 30 points from 25 contests (W9 D3 L13), whole eight points clear of the bottom-three.
Swedish striker Sebastian Andersson tops Union Berlin’s scoring chart with 11 strikes, having gotten off the mark in each of his last three Bundesliga contests. Attacking midfielder Marius Bulter is second in goals with seven markers. Goalie Rafal Gikiewicz, meanwhile, ranks 2nd in the whole Bundesliga with 94 saves, having posted six clean sheets on top. He concedes a snipe every 55 minutes of play. Union Berlin have scored the 4th lowest amount of goals so far this year (32), while sitting 11th in most shots (316). They are averaging the 2nd lowest ball possession percentage in the league (44.0%).
Bayern Munich Showing Class
Having won a record 29 national titles throughout their 120-year history, Bayern Munich are aiming to win Bundesliga for the eighth consecutive year, this season and are pretty much on the course to do so, currently sitting at the top of Germany’s top tier with 55 points from 25 matches (W17 D4 L4). They are four points ahead of the 2nd-placed Borussia Dortmund and five in front of the 3rd-placed RB Leipzig, going unbeaten for 11 straight league outings since mid-December (W10 D1), outscoring their opponents 38-6.
Having finished the last five Bundesliga seasons as the top scorer of Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski, unsurprisingly, leads his team in scoring once again, having netted 25 times in 23 appearances this year. Thomas Muller (6 goals) leads the assists chart with 16 helpers. Goalie Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, occupies the 14th place with 63 saves in Bundesliga, leading all keepers with a league-high 10 clean sheets. He gives up a goal every 87 minutes on average. Bayern, meanwhile, is top of the competition in goals (73), shots (468) and ball possession (63.2%).
Prediction
Bayern Munich has already beaten Union Berlin in Bavaria in October (2-1) and, understandably, are heavy favorites to bank another victory when visiting Stadion An der Alten Forsterei on Sunday. Odds of -525 for a Bayern win are hardly enticing, though, so sticking with some other betting options regarding this fixture is definitely a much better idea. Union Berlin is not expected to beat the reigning Bundesliga champions, but a shock draw is definitely not out of the question. The Iron Ones did manage to snatch an unexpected 3-1 home victory against Borussia Dortmund back in August, remember! So, the team is definitely not as predictable as some might think! An even better bet, still, is for both teams to score! Union Berlin have found the back of the net in 19 of their last 21 contests in all competitions, while Bayern Munich has recorded just four clean sheets in 12 away games this year.
Best bets:
Draw (+605)
Both teams to score (+115)
Robert Lewandowski - the first goalscorer (+210)
