Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Berlin prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2022-11-05 14:30.
Manager Xabi Alonso is struggling to translate his famed playing ability to the touchline as his Bayer Leverkusen side continue to stumble on all fronts (W1, D3, L3). Despite failing to beat Brugge in midweek in Champions League action, Leverkusen qualified for the Europa League knockout phase by virtue of the H2H ruling, but that counts for little here as they look to improve on their worst ever 12-game Bundesliga start during the three points for a win era (W2, D3, L7).
Although Leverkusen have scored seven times in four games since Alonso took charge, a league-low 36 attempts across the last four rounds highlights a clear area for improvement. With four of those goals coming against rock-bottom Schalke, Leverkusen will likely find it a little tougher to repeat such a feat against the surprise Bundesliga leaders after round 12, Union Berlin.
The Iron Ones enter this game on the back of a tough trip to Belgium in midweek (W 1-0), although they will be in high spirits having qualified from a European group stage for the first time in club history. With Bayern Munich playing a day earlier, Union Berlin will likely need a win to retain their slender grip on top-spot, but that’s not beyond the realms of possibility with the Berliners posting the league’s joint-best record as pre-match outsiders (W3, D2, L1).
Union’s unlikely title challenge has been built on solid foundations, and the capital club have conceded a league-low nine goals so far, with five clean sheets to show for their efforts. Although Union have rarely missed a beat, it’s away from home that they’ve stumbled most often, as eight of their ten dropped points all season came on their league travels whilst both of their league defeats were in two of their last three away games.
Key battle: Jeremie Frimpong has scored three of Leverkusen’s seven league goals under Alonso’s stewardship, contributing to his best ever scoring season (G5). Trying to stop him will be Union defender Danilho Doekhi who was the unlikely scorer of a 90’+7 winner in their last Bundesliga game, securing Union a first league win after conceding first this season.
Hot streak: Leverkusen have never lost a competitive home H2H with Union Berlin (W3, D2).