Royale Union SG Union Berlin prediction 2023-03-16

Royale Union SG vs Union Berlin prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-03-15 20:00.
After sharing all possible results in the three meetings during this season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL), the fourth ‘union’ between Royale Union and Union Berlin will decide which of the two becomes the first to reach the quarter-finals of a modern day European tournament. The first leg (3-3) in Berlin saw the Belgians take the lead three times only to be pegged back each time, with an 89th-minute strike eventually settling the six-goal thriller. They followed it with a 2-1 win over Genk at the weekend to cut the lead at the top of Jupiler Pro League to five points which should be good preparation for this crucial game.

Returning home could be morale boosting as Royale Union have won eight of their last nine home matches (L1) in all competitions with six coming ‘to nil’. That record is sullied by an indifferent return in UEL home matches this season (W1, D1, L1), which they hope won’t derail hopes of progression.

That included a 1-0 loss to Union Berlin, who remain the only side to keep the Belgians quiet in this season’s competition home or away. The Germans would love to rewind the clock as their recent form has been about stalemates with five draws from their last seven competitive matches (W1, L1). This has seen their potential Bundesliga title run fizzle out to a tight top-four tussle, placing extra emphasis on this competition.

A 1-1 draw at the weekend in the Bundesliga represented their first away competitive goal across three matches (D2, L1) but the rendering of the Europa League anthem could energise the visitors. They are unbeaten across seven UEL games anywhere (W5, D2), including a three-game away sequence (W2, D1), where they kept clean sheets each time, whilst notching twin 1-0 wins.

Players to watch: UEL’s joint-top scorer Victor Boniface followed up a brace in the first leg for Royale Union with an assist at the weekend. Meanwhile, Union Berlin’s Sven Michel scored both of his UEL goals this campaign against Royale Union, serving as the last strike of the match.

Hot stat: Union Berlin have seen seven of their last 15 UEL goals arrive after the hour mark.