Fortuna Düsseldorf Vs Union Berlin
Sunday 22nd December 2019 – 14:00 Kick-Off
German Bundesliga
Pick: Union Berlin Draw No Bet
Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: PaddyPower
German Bundesliga Betting at 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct at the time of writing: 20th December 2019 at 17:40)
Preview: One last chance for Fortuna Dusseldorf to see out a disappointing first half to the season, which sees them languishing near the foot of the table, with a much-needed victory as they prepare to welcome Union Berlin to their Merkur Spiel-Arena. Those with BT Sports can see this game live.
Fortuna Dusseldorf Vs Union Berlin Live Stats & Betting Odds
Fortuna Düsseldorf Preview – Winless run stretches on?
As was predicted, RB Leipzig overpowered a poor Fortuna Dusseldorf (16th – W3 D3 L10, GF16 GA35) side, who are in no form whatsoever, at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in last Saturday’s evening kick-off in front of the BT Sport cameras. The final scoreline of 3-0 was not even a fair reflection of what was a one-sided affair that concluded with the hosts being absolutely obliterated in terms of xG (DUS 0.15 – 4.34 RBL). Fortunate, perhaps, to have avoided a scoreline resembling something more emphatic.
Just three days later and Dusseldorf were back in Bundesliga action, this time on the road in Augsburg. And after a dismal sequence of results, albeit versus some daunting opponents, this was a welcome opportunity to register a morale boosting result. What transpired was anything but that, as coach Friedhelm Funkel oversaw a second successive 3-0 defeat – their third loss in as many league games, all without scoring – that left the club without a win in six (D2 L4) and inside the relegation zone.
Having passed up one presentable fixture, here is another. They are also back in front of their own fans, which is a positive despite suffering a couple of heavy losses there lately against RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich (0-4). Prior to this, though, there were home successes over FC Koln (2-0) and Mainz (1-0), while their overall record at home (W2 D1 L4) is considerably better than that away (W1 D2 L6) when you consider how they have played two fewer games in Dusseldorf.
Union Berlin Preview – Midweek loss a minor setback?
Not often during this season have Union Berlin (11th – W6 D2 L8, GF19 GA22) approached a league fixture as favourites. That was the scenario which faced them in midweek, though, as the promoted club attempted to bolster their recent fine form with another positive outcome at home to Hoffenheim. A 2-0 loss was to follow, disappointing those who backed them in what was a very harsh conclusion to another encouraging performance (xG UNI 1.76 – 0.87 HOF). Some rare profligacy their undoing more than anything else.
Ultimately it was an eighth defeat of this Bundesliga season for Die Eisermen, who were in excellent form beforehand. Prior to the midweek setback they had chalked up four wins in six with victories against Hertha Berlin (1-0), Mainz (2-3), FC Koln (2-0) and even a clinical 2-0 win over a Monchengladbach side who were leading the standings at the time. Their only loss amidst all this success being an unfortunate 2-1 reverse in Schalke, surrendering two points only after conceding a late winner.
Provided their latest loss hasn’t knocked the stuffing out of them too much, there is enough positive form in the not too distant past to suggest Union Berlin are capable of capitalising on what is a very presentable fixture. Conversely, their record when away from home really does leave a lot to be desired: W1 D2 L4. Just one of their six wins in 2019-20 earned on the road. Moreover, we still await a first clean sheet in said matches after failing to record any in all seven previous attempts.
Fortuna Düsseldorf Vs Union Berlin – Key Facts:
- Without a win in six Bundesliga matches (D2 L4), Fortuna Dusseldorf‘s last five league defeats were all ‘to nil’.
- Form has improved markedly at Union Berlin with four wins in the last eight (W4 D2 L2), however their away record overall remains uninspiring: W1 D2 L4.
- This will be a first-ever Bundesliga meeting. These teams have met regularly in Bundesliga 2, though, with the 2017-18 season featuring wins for the home side on both occasions.
Betting Summary
No doubt which of these teams is feeling the greater pressure ahead of this final Bundesliga encounter of 2019. Fortuna Dusseldorf (37/20 Unibet) are keen to avoid suffering a fourth successive defeat that would condemn them to spending the winter break inside the relegation zone, and at least have home advantage to aid their cause, but have their work cut out securing a positive outcome against a Union Berlin (17/10 Sportingbet) side in better form, albeit having gone two games without a win and winning only once on the road all season.
Such is the contrasting forms that the team enjoying their maiden campaign in Germany’s highest tier approach this game as marginal favourites. Their process is better, creating/scoring more as well as allowing fewer chances/goals according to Infogol’s Expected Goals model. However, a poor away record means a safety-first approach with Union Berlin Draw No Bet the selection.
