Union Berlin vs Royale Union SG prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-03-08 17:45.
Both Union Berlin and Royale Union are making their debut seasons in the UEFA Europa League (UEL), yet this will actually be the third meeting this season between Group D’s top-two finishers. The Iron Ones of Berlin have seen their unlikely Bundesliga title charge fall apart with a run of three games without scoring a goal leaving them five points off the pace, yet that’s still far better than anyone could have predicted for them at the start of the season.
Both group stage meetings between the pair ended in 1-0 away wins, a trend Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer will hope to end here. There’s a strong case to be made for a resurgent Union Berlin performance too, with their overall European record at home standing at a respectable W5, D2, L3 after dispatching Dutch giants Ajax 3-1 in their last such game in the German capital.
Much like their hosts, Royale Union have made a meteoric rise to the European stage, earning their first UEL participation after a second-placed finish in their first season back in the Belgian top-flight last year. In another curiously comparable trend, Royale Union have suffered a recent domestic wobble across their last five games which has seen them drop out of their domestic cup and dwindle their title hopes (W1, D1, L3).
The men from Brussels can at least look to a solid away record for inspiration ahead of this clash, having only lost twice on the road since September 2022 (W12, D2, L2). That form included an incredible run of 11 straight competitive road victories including three in Europe against Union Berlin, Malmö and Braga, yet both defeats came in their most recent trips.
Players to watch: Union Berlin defender Josip Juranović scored and assisted in their last European home game and impressively has four goal involvements across his last six appearances (G1, A3). He’ll be trying to stop Royale Union’s Gustaf Nilsson, who hit a double in their away win against Braga and began this season in the German third tier with Wehen.
Hot stat: Union Berlin have kept a UEL-high five clean sheets this season.