Union Berlin vs Schalke 04 Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Two teams both stuck on one point each collide in the German capital as Union Berlin host Schalke 04.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC iPlayer / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – BBC Sport website & iPlayer / USA – ESPN+
Union Berlin preview: Continuing to leak goals
Union Berlin can’t expect to put points on the board in bulk if they are to keep conceding goals at such a high click. After a 3-3 draw in their opening Bundesliga game against Eintracht Frankfurt which saw them come from 1-3 down to equalise late on, Mauro Lustrinelli’s men were comprehensively outplayed by Bayer Leverkusen on the road, losing 4-0.
If you count their 2-4 DFB-Pokal win over Eintracht Braunschweig, that’s now nine goals conceded across Union’s three matches in all competitions so far this season, an average of three per game. That does not bode well for their future prospects unless some sharp improvement can be found.
Schalke 04 preview: Holding big bad Bayern
Schalke 04 made a big statement last weekend in regards to their determination, fighting spirit and ability to battle until the final whistle. Miron Muslic’s side managed to hold Bundesliga champions and free-scoring Bayern Munich to a goalless draw in Gelsenkirchen, picking up their first point of the season after losing on the opening round to Augsburg.
Goalkeeper Loris Karius was outstanding, making save after save to end Bayern’s 59-match run of having scored at least one goal. His defence were also heroes and underlined just how tough this Schalke team will be to overcome in their own home. Now it’s about picking up a first win of the league campaign.
Union Berlin team news: Ilic the headline absence
Andrej Ilic is set to miss out for Union, who are also without Oliver Burke, Andrik Markgraf and Stanley Nsoki.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Ronnow; Trimmel, Querfeld, Uduokhai, Rothe; Aebischer, Khedira, Kemlein, Burcu; Latte Lath, Ljubicic
Unavailable: Ilic (Injured), Markgraf (Injured), Nsoki (Injured), Burke (Injured)
Questionable: Imeri (Injured)
Schalke 04 team news: Schallenberg banned
Midfielder Ron Schallenberg remains suspended after his red card against Augsburgm whilst Emil Hojlund has an achilles injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Karius; Becker, Katic, Kurucay; Dina Ebimbe, El-Faouzi, Tanaka, Gosens; Ljubicic, Dzeko, Aouchiche
Unavailable: Hojlund (Injured), Schallenberg (Suspended)
Questionable: Gantenbein (Injured), Lasme (Injured)
Union Berlin vs Schalke 04 prediction
When taking into account the defensive fragility of Union Berlin, this has to be seen as a big opportunity for Schalke 04 if they can harness the performance that we saw from them against Bayern Munich and take that into this match. The visitors are likely to get big chances to score and if they can shut things down again defensively, then they have an excellent opportunity to get something.
Union though, should be seen as a much bigger threat at home and this is likely to be the case throughout the season. Therefore, the double chance market appears a sensible move with value in backing Schalke to gain either three points or one.
Union Berlin vs Schalke 04 tip: Double chance - draw/Schalke 04
