Union Berlin vs Mainz Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Union Berlin vs Mainz on and what time does it start? Union Berlin vs Mainz will take place on Sunday 20th August, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Union Berlin vs Mainz? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Union Berlin vs Mainz on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Union Berlin vs Mainz
Where can I stream Union Berlin vs Mainz in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Union Berlin vs Mainz can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
UNION BERLIN
Union Berlin made history last season in what was a campaign their fans will never forget. A wonderful start saw them lead the Bundesliga at one stage and for a long period they were firm title contenders. Whilst the power of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund saw those two teams eventually pull away from Union, Die Eisernen held their nerve to secure 62 points and a fourth-place finish, thus guaranteeing Champions League football for the first time.
Urs Fischer has been given resources to improve his squad further, enhancing their strength-in-depth and the result is a formidable looking group of players. Striker David Datro Fofana and midfielder Brenden Aaronson have arrived on loan from Chelsea and Leeds respectively. Kevin Volland, Mikkel Kaufmann and Lucas Tusart have each joined for small fees, whilst left-wing-back Robin Gosens finally returns to Germany, signing from Inter Milan for €13m.
MAINZ
Mainz ended last season firmly entrenched in midtable, with 46 points to their name and a ninth-place finish. Indeed, they were only four points away from a European place, something to build further upon. However, what they’ll always be known for, is stopping Borussia Dortmund from winning the 2022-23 Bundesliga, holding them to a 2-2 draw in the final round of fixtures, allowed Bayern to leapfrog them in dramatic fashion and secure an 11th consecutive league title.
On the complete flip-side to their opponents in this first league contest of the season, Mainz’s summer transfer business has been extremely quiet. Only defender Sepp van den Berg on loan from Liverpool and midfielder Tom Krauss from RB Leipzig for €5m are the only incomings as it stands. Marcus Ingvartsen and Marlon Mustapha have left the club.
THE TEAM NEWS
UNION BERLIN
Fischer has a big decision to make over who to play at left-wing-back with Gosens available for selection, but Jerome Roussillon has done little wrong in that position since joining the club, so a tough call will need to be made. Like Roussillon, Josip Juranovic joined Union in January and has impressed immensely. He will start at right-wing-back.
Fofana is expected to make his debut up top for Union alongside Kevin Behrens, although Aaronson may have to settle for a place on the bench. Leite will slot straight back into the back three, where he performed so well last season alongside Doekhi and Knoche, although Khedira, Schafer and Tousart all miss out through injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Leite; Juranovic, Laidouni, Kral, Haberer, Gosens; Fofana, Behrens
UNAVAILABLE: Khedira (Injured), Schafer (Injured), Tousart (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MAINZ
The expectation is that Bo Svensson will opt for a system that deploys three centre-backs, especially away from home, in the knowledge that they may have to soak up sustained spells of pressure from Union. However, in Onisiwo, Ajorque and Lee Jae-Sung, Mainz boast a front three capable of causing the hosts serious problems if given a chance.
The biggest frustration from Svensson and Mainz’s perspective will be that they are without their captain for the opening weekend of the new Bundesliga season. Silvan Widmer is out due to injury and his leadership will be missed by the visitors.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Zentner; Bell, Kohr, Fernandes; Da Costa, Barreiro, Stach, Caci; Onisiwo, Ajorque, Lee Jae-Sung
UNAVAILABLE: Widmer (Injured), Burkardt (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
The biggest worry from a Union Berlin perspective is likely to be whether playing in the Champions League will adversely affect their Bundesliga results. However, for now they don’t have to worry about that and all focus will be on this game. Union Berkin are an excellent side, brilliantly coached, high on confidence and a better all-round unit than Mainz. With home advantage in their favour, they should dominate throughout and any outcome other than a Union victory here would be a surprise.
TIP: UNION BERLIN TO WIN
