Bundesliga: Bayer Will Test Union’s Champions League Credentials

Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen

Third faces sixth in the Bundesliga match of the weekend as Union Berlin aim to cement their top four place when they host Bayer Leverkusen, a team which has its own European goals.

Under the guidance of Urs Fischer Die Eisernen are on course to improve on their fifth place finish last term and qualify for the Champions League for the first time. Bayer finished third last season and, coached by Xabi Alonso, still hold ambitions to climb into the top four but, six points adrift and with just five games remaining time is running out.

Bundesliga: Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen could be a game which defines Bayer’s campaign and that makes them a dangerous opponent, but Union know they can tick off another week if they come through unscathed. Bayer come into the game on the back of an impressive 2-0 win at home to Red Bull Leipzig while Union Berlin won 1-0 away to Borussia Monchengladbach. 

The SBOTOP odds suggest Union will hold on to their top four place and Bayer Leverkusen will miss out, but if Alonso can mastermind an away win the race will be blown wide open.

Talking Points

So good to be back home for Union

Die Eisernen headed to Dortmund early in April and went down to a 2-1 defeat to BVB, and that part of a run of three away matches in four, having lost the previous week in Frankfurt to go out of the DFB Pokal. They have been very strong at home and steadied the ship with a 1-1 draw with Bochum before heading to Borussia Monchengladbach last week. They came away with a win but it was hard work and Union will be delighted to be in front of their home fans again.  

With nine goals Sheraldo Becker is top scoring while making five assists and it was his strike which gave Die Eisernen a 16^th win of the season when they edged out Die Fohlen. At the start of the campaign Union would have been happy with another top half finish but their aspirations have risen. Gladbach forward Jonas Hoffman was complimentary after his team’s defeat saying: “To be up there after 29 rounds and mixing it at the top does not happen by accident, but then you’ve earned it.” Borussia had over 60 per cent possession and more shots on target but Union have an inner steel which has so often carried them through.

And at home they are a tough team to face, beating both Frankfurt and Stuttgart in recent weeks and, in a tight 22,000 capacity stadium, the atmosphere will be hostile.  

Bayer on the up

They are away from home and trailing their hosts in the league; but the pre-match Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen betting odds rate Bayer as marginal favourites to win this six pointer, which makes some sense as they have improved greatly in recent weeks and are on an unbeaten run of 13 matches in all competitions. Leverkusen put in a superb performance last week to see off top four rivals Red Bull Leipzig, thanks to goals from Adam Hlozek and Nadiem Amiri and Die Werkself made it to the Europa League semi-finals, thanks to a thumping 4-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise to make it 5-2 on aggregate. 

French forward Moussa Diaby opened the scoring in the Europa clash and he is top scoring in the league with nine goals, while flying wing back Jeremie Frimpong was also on the score sheet. He has eight goals and five assists in the league and the young Dutch star has emerged as a summer target for Manchester United. In the meantime Union Berlin need to work out how to stop him.   

History

Die Werkself have enjoyed the better of their brief relationship with Die Eisernen, winning six of the previous ten meetings, drawing three and losing just once. In the return match Leverkusen ran riot, winning 5-0 as Diaby scored a quick fire double in the second half.  

While the previous Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen results don’t provide much encouragement to Union they will relish the chance for some revenge and are unbeaten at home this season, winning nine and drawing five.

In terms of recent form it’s back to Bayer who have picked up four wins and two draws from the last six games while Union Berlin have won three, draw one and lost two.    

Betting Tip

At 2.40 to win Die Werkself have the edge while Union are at 2.69 and the draw is 2.92; and this game really could go either way. I suspect Bayer may extend their unbeaten run while Union protect their home record. We’re going to see a tight one, a 1-1 draw or a narrow victory either way.

 

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