Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich
Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich Saturday 12th December 2020 – 17:30 (kick-off)
German Bundesliga
Pick: Bayern Munich Win & Both Teams to Score
Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 9th December 2020)
Preview: Fresh from losing the Berlin derby, can Union Berlin deliver an immediate riposte when they welcome Bundesliga juggernaut Bayern Munich, who were involved in Champions League action during the week, to Stadion An der Alten Forsterei?
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Table of Contents
Union Berlin Preview – Will any response to derby loss be forthcoming?
In the same week they were beaten in the first Berlin derby of the season, Union Berlin (W4 D4 L2) delivered some positive news with that of head coach Urs Fischer had signed an extension. The 54-year-old was integral in maintaining the capital side’s top-flight status last time around, guiding them to 11th in their maiden Bundesliga campaign in 2019/20, while the early signs are that this season could fare even better.
Even when taking into account the 3-1 reverse to Hertha Berlin which ended their run of eight league games without defeat (W4 D4), Union Berlin still sit a credible sixth in the standings – closer to leaders Bayern Munich than Arminia Bielefeld, the current relegation play-off occupants. And it is against the former they must fancy their chances of springing a surprise against inside Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.
At home this season, Die Eisernen have lost only once in five outings. That on the opening day at the hands of FC Augsburg. Thereafter Urs Fischer has overseen a return of eight points from four home games, securing huge wins over Mainz (4-0) and Bielefeld (5-0) whilst sharing the spoils with Freiburg (1-1) and Frankfurt (3-3). Meanwhile, their average of 2.8 goals per home game is bettered only by Bayern.
Bayern Munich Preview – Top of Bundesliga but far from perfect?
The record champions received a timely boost in midweek as the roadrunner himself, full-back Alphonso Davies, clocked up his first competitive minutes since tearing ankle ligaments in late October, featuring for little more than an hour of Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at home against Lokomotiv Moscow. Bayern Munich (W7 D1 L2) closing out their group in the Champions League, which they topped, in serene fashion.
Bayern coach Hansi Flick coped well initially with the setback of losing Davies, with Lucas Hernandez proving a more than able deputy as Bayern won their next four matches in league and Europe. A run of three draws in five preceded the Canadian’s return, however, and his rapid recovery runs may have prevented any number of the goals conceded in last week’s pulsating 3-3 draw with RB Leipzig in Munich.
Despite failing to win for the third league game in 2020/21, Die Roten’s tally of 23 points at this stage is their best since 2017/18, while 34 goals through ten rounds, coming at a rate of more than three per game, is a new league record. All this whilst allowing more goals, 16, in their defensive third than any of the sides currently in the top-six; a collective that includes Saturday’s opposition Union Berlin, with 14.
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Union Berlin Vs Bayern Munich Betting Advice
In the comfort of knowing qualification was already wrapped up, Hansi Flick made a raft of changes for Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow. He even handed 12-goal top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski the night off. So there should be a freshness to this Bayern side. Then again, we said something similar last time and they duly went and conceded three times at home to RB Leipzig in a 3-3 draw.
Union Berlin Vs Bayern Munich – Key Facts:
- Only Bayern Munich (4.2) are averaging more goals at home in the Bundesliga so far this season than Union Berlin (2.8 per home game, with record reading W2 D2 L1).
- No team has registered more goals away from home than Bayern (13 in 5 away games), who set a new Bundesliga record after netting 34 times in the first ten matchdays.
- Three penalties were awarded across their two league encounters in 2019/20, more than in any fixture that season. Bayern prevailing home (2-1) and away (0-2).
Union Berlin have started the season brilliantly. Last week’s 3-1 defeat to Berlin rivals Hertha just their second of the campaign and first since the opening day, halting an eight-match unbeaten streak. Moreover, only Bayern are finding the net with greater regularity at home than Die Eisernan, who should continue this particular trend but may be unable to keep pace with Bayern over the 90 minutes without star man Max Kruse (11 goals involvements in 2020/21).
Best Betting Odds – Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich
Union Berlin – 9/1 (Bet365)
Draw – 11/2 (Betway)
Bayern Munich – 2/7 (Betfair)
