Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-04-28 13:30.
Union Berlin bounced back from a small dip in form to pick up their first win in four competitive outings last round (D1, L2) by defeating Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0. They return home here looking to maintain one of only two remaining unbeaten home records in this season’s Bundesliga (W9, D5) whilst keeping a grip on a place inside the division’s top three.
The gap between them to Freiburg in fourth was just two points at the conclusion of the last round, so securing another victory here could be crucial to their Champions League aspirations. Revenge will be an added motivation, too, as opponents Bayer Leverkusen handed Union their heaviest defeat of the season (5-0) back in November. But the hosts might take some comfort from the fact that was their only defeat from each of the last five Bundesliga H2Hs (W1, D3).
Leverkusen are eight points adrift of their opponents but are still on course to qualify for continental football next season. They finished the last round in sixth and their endeavours have been boosted by an impressive run of eight league games without a loss (W6, D2) – only Mainz can match being undefeated for such an extended period. That unbeaten stretch extends to 13 games across all competitions, shedding light on why manager Xabi Alonso is fast being regarded as one the most exciting young managers in Europe.
This contest is set to put Leverkusen’s resolve to the test, particularly as they’re winless in their four away games against teams currently sitting above them in the Bundesliga table (D1, L3). Their struggles in those matches are highlighted by the fact they scored just one goal in total across the four games and trailed at the half-time break in each.
Key battle: Thanks in part to his clean sheet last time out, Union Berlin goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow finished the last round with the best save percentage in the league (83.3 %). Trying to get the better of him will be 20-year-old youngster Adam Hložek who has two goals and an assist across his last two competitive Leverkusen appearances.
Hot stat: All but one of the last seven H2H competitive matches produced 3+ match cards.