Union Berlin vs Hamburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After securing their first victory back in the Bundesliga, Hamburg will try to follow that up with another positive result here against mid-table Union Berlin.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – ESPN+
Union Berlin preview: Burke stuns Frankfurt
Union Berlin’s gameplan worked to perfection last time out against free-scoring Eintracht Frankfurt. As their opponents pushed men forward regularly, Union were outstanding on the counter-attack and took their opportunities in ruthless fashion, putting them 1-4 in front at one stage. Whilst Eintracht rallies late on, Union held out to win 3-4.
That victory snapped a two-game losing streak in the Bundesliga and Union were indebted to Oliver Burke, who played a huge role with his efficient finishing on the break. Burke netted a hat-trick, becoming the first Scottish player to ever do so in the top flight of German football.
Hamburg preview: Finally in the win column
Hamburg have had to wait since finally being promoted to the Bundesliga, but now they have their long-awaited first victory back in the top flight and what a crucial win it was. Plenty dubbed their showdown with Heidenheim as an early season six-pointer and it was Hamburg who came away with a priceless three points.
Home advantage certainly played its part with the Volksparkstadion a wall of noise throughout, erupting as Luka Vuskovic part Hamburg in front. Rayan Philippe doubled the lead just before the hour and whilst a Heidenheim goal in second half stoppage time may have led to a few nerves in the stands, Hamburg held on to win.
Union Berlin team news: Shortage at wing-back
With both Josip Juranovic and Robert Skov injury doubts, there is a lot of pressure on both captain Christopher Trimmel and Derrick Kohn in the wing-back positions with a severe lack of cover available. Centre-back Stanley Nsoki is missing, as is winger Livan Burcu.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Ronnow; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Haberer, Kohn; Burke, Ilic, Ansah
Unavailable: Burcu (Injured), Nsoki (Injured)
Questionable: Juranovic (Injured), Skov (Injured)
Hamburg team news: Three doubts
Striker Youssuf Poulsen is edging closer to full fitness but Hamburg’s new signing may not be ready in time for this one. Silvan Hefti is also likely to miss out with a hip problem, with Jordan Torunarigha also doubtful.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes; Omari, Vuskovic, Elfadli; Gocholeishvili, Vieira, Meffert, Muheim; Philippe, Konigsdorffer, Dompe
Unavailable:
Questionable: Hefti (Injured), Poulsen (Injured), Torunarigha (Injured)
Union Berlin vs Hamburg prediction
Whilst Hamburg may be coming off the back of a huge morale-boosting win, you can say the same for Union Berlin and the seasoned Bundesliga campaigners will pose far tougher opposition than bottom-placed Heidenheim, especially with this game taking place in the German capital. Hamburg will need to dig in as we saw when they held Borussia Monchengladbach to a 0-0 draw on the opening weekend.
However, Union are a team full of confidence who really showed their capabilities in Frankfurt and provided they can replicate that level of performance here, the expectation is that they will wind up too strong for the newly promoted side. With that in mind, it’s well worth backing Union to claim three points.
Union Berlin vs Hamburg tip: Union Berlin to win
