Union Berlin vs Hoffenheim prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-09-20 13:30.
[p]As one of five sides yet to taste a Bundesliga defeat this season, Union Berlin couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the campaign (W1, D2). A solid base has been behind their success, with Union’s one goal conceded this season the lowest in the top-flight, but having scored just two themselves, it’s fair to say entertainment has been at a premium in Union games so far this term. [/p]
[p]That goes somewhat against the grain as far as games against Hoffenheim are concerned, as despite last season’s H2Hs sharing just three goals across the two games, there is a history of entertainment in this fixture. The six H2Hs prior to last season all saw both teams score (UNI: W3, D2, L1), and given Union have never kept a Bundesliga home clean sheet against Hoffenheim, they’ll likely need to find their scoring touch if they’re to maintain their unbeaten record here.[/p]
[p]You can’t say Hoffenheim’s start to the campaign has been dull (W1, L2), as their three league outings have amassed a whopping 14 goals. Five of those were rattled in last weekend as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen, after which boss Pellegrino Matarazzo said his side “conceded goals far too easily” – a problem which has long since plagued Hoffenheim on the road.[/p]
[p]The visitors have conceded 2+ goals in 11 of their last 12 away league games, which has unsurprisingly contributed to them winning just twice across those outings (D2, L8). They did keep a clean sheet on this ground last season, but that might not be Matarazzo’s primary issue here, as he has never seen his side score a goal away to a Bo Svensson-managed team before (D1, L1). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Only against Mainz (ten) has Union’s Rani Khedira won more Bundesliga games than against Hoffenheim (seven), winning each of his last three personal home appearances. Andrej Kramarić has been involved in all five of Hoffenheim’s goals this season (G4, A1), and with three goals, two yellow cards and an assist in his last three appearances against Union, he could be in the thick of the action again here. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Including the last game of 2023/24, Hoffenheim’s last four Bundesliga games have seen at least two goals before and after half-time. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]