Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Berlin
7 January 1430hrs
Football – Germany – Bundesliga
Pick Over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 7/10 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 6 January
It is testament to the progression of Union Berlin that a win here would put them above Bayer Leverkusen and mostl likely into a Champions League position as the second half of the Bundesliga gets underway.
Table of Contents
Bayer Leverkusen Preview – Can Bayer hit the ground running on return from break to preserve their place in the top four?
Leverkusen return to action after the winter break in Germany and they know they have a fight on their hands if they are to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League. Sitting in fourth heading into the weekend’s fixtures, Leverkusen are one of six teams separated by four points and all believing they have what it takes to take one of the likely two remaining spaces in the top four, with Bayern and Dortmund well clear now.
Their position was much more secure prior to their domestic games in September where they took only one point from a possible nine, losing in Frankfurt and Freiburg.
Gerardo Seoane’s men have taken seven points from their last three home matches. They’ve lost to the top two and Wolfsburg on their own patch so far but will feel there is room to become more dominant at the BayArena in the second half of the campaign.
Patrick Schick has been the undoubted star of this team. Now in his second season at the club, the Czech striker is scoring more than a goal a game. He struck 16 times in 14 games in the first half of the season. Only Robert Lewandowiski has scored more.
Union Berlin Preview – Can Union take a big step towards the top four with a win here?
Qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history last season was a significant achievement for Union Berlin – another one in a period of sustained success for the club. Now, it looks like they are in with a chance of progressing even further as one of the clubs in that aforementioned pack chasing a top four finish.
Union are seventh but know that a win here would take them a couple of points above their opponents and likely into a Champions League spot come the end of the weekend. An indication of just how far they have come.
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It isn’t a huge surprise to see that their home form is the biggest reason for their current position. Union’s unique stadium is one of the most difficult places to get a result in the Bundesliga, as evidenced by their record of five wins and three draws from their nine matches there.
Away from home is slightly less encouraging, though. The 1-0 win at Bochum last time out was just their second away success this season. They’ve also struggled defensively on the road, keeping only one clean sheet in eight attempts.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Berlin Betting Advice
Both of these teams will have hopes of finishing in the top four and even though one of them is more realistic than normal, there is very little to separate them on this season’s showing with just one point of a difference after 17 matches.
Union tend to make hard work of it on their travels but there is a vulnerability about Leverkusen just now with only three wins in their last 10 league games. The home team will take some confidence from the fact Union have never beaten them at this venue.
Key Facts – Bayer Leverskusen vs Union Berlin Betting Tip
- Leverkusen have taken seven points from their last three at home having lost two straight
- Union have won only two of their nine away games in the Bundesliga this season
- The Berlin club are looking for their first ever away win in this fixture
With the number of teams challenging for the top four this is likely to be one of many similar games where those clubs go head to head looking for an advantage.
It’s a game where there should be goals. Eight of Leverkusen’s last 11 matches have had three or more in them whilst Union’s away games in the league average exactly three goals. Back Over 2.5 in this game.
Best Betting Odds for Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Berlin
