Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Union Berlin vs Werder Bremen on and what time does it start? Union Berlin vs Werder Bremen will take place on Saturday 27th May, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Union Berlin vs Werder Bremen? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Union Berlin vs Werder Bremen 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 Werder Bremen
Where can I stream Union Berlin vs Werder Bremen in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Union Berlin vs Werder Bremen can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
UNION BERLIN
Union Berlin will begin the day in the box seat when it comes to winning that fourth and final Champions League place. Urs Fischer’s side currently sit above Freiburg on goal difference with both having accumulated 59 points so far this season with identical records in the league. Both have played 33, won 17, drawn eight and lost eight respectively, but that four goal cushion gives Union Berlin that crucial edge. They also have the benefit of playing their last game at home, which cannot be underestimated. It’s quite the contrast compared to Union’s city rivals Hertha, whose relegation from the Bundesliga was confirmed last weekend.
It could have been ever better for Union Berlin, but for their surprise slip-up last weekend away at Hoffenheim. The defensive stability that has served them so well over the course of the campaign disappeared as Hoffenheim took advantage of individual errors from the visitors, punishing them through goals. Whilst Union never gave up, pulling a goal back at 2-0 and 3-1 respectively, the hosts finished the job deep into second-half stoppage time, subjecting Union to a 4-2 loss.
WERDER BREMEN
Following their promotion back to the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen needed to consolidate back in the top tier, which they have done effectively, with survival now secure. They’ll no doubt be hoping progress on a similar trajectory to that of Union Berlin following their promotion, but after what has been a long campaign, results for Werder have regressed, perhaps understandably. The visitors have taken just a point from the last 12 available to them, although that point was enough to make them uncatchable for the bottom three with a four-point-gap now between them and 16th-placed Bochum.
That point came at home against FC Cologne this past Saturday and Werder Bremen had to gain it the hard way after falling behind in the first half. Steffen Tigges put the away side in front after 36 minutes, a lead which they held up to half time. It took until the 73rd minute for Werder to force an equaliser, substitute Romano Schmid scoring the goal. 1-1 was ultimately how it remained and by the end of the weekend, that draw turned out to be a good result for Werder in the end.
THE TEAM NEWS
UNION BERLIN
Urs Fischer will be without the services of Hungarian midfielder Andras Schafer, but will be confident that the rest of his squad will be available for selection. No surprises are expected from Fischer in terms of the starting line-up with the experienced Sami Khedira providing that crucial wall of steel in midfield and the two wing-backs pushing forward whenever they can with three centre-backs offering cover.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Leite; Trimmel, Laidouni, Khedira, Haberer, Roussillon; Becker, Behrens
UNAVAILABLE: Schafer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
WERDER BREMEN
Werder Bremen are suffering with a number of injury absentees, whilst one player (Jens Stage) is suspended. Midfielder Christian Gross is out with a knee problem, an ankle injury side-lines Amos Pieper and Dikeni Salifou will also miss this one. Expect them to match up to Union Berlin in a 3-5-2 formation, with the now fully fit Niclas Fullkrug and Marvin Ducksch leading the line together for the visitors.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Pavlenka; Veljkovic, Stark, Friedl; Schmid, Bittencourt, Gruev, Schmidt, Jung; Fullkrug, Ducksch
UNAVAILABLE: Agu (Injured), Gross (Injured), Pieper (Injured), Salifou (Injured), Stage (Suspended), Weiser (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
It’s been a wonderful season so far for Union Berlin and in terms of the Bundesliga, now it’s all about finishing the job and securing that Champions League place. They face a team out of form with a squad likely eying up a beach far away from Germany. Whilst nerves are to be expected from Union Berlin, home advantage should prove a huge factor here, giving those Union players a much-needed boost. With that in mind, back the hosts to get the job done and secure three points.
TIP: UNION BERLIN TO WIN