28 October 2021, 16:42 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Over the weekend, fifth-placed Union Berlin will host the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in an attempt to close the gap between both teams. This highly anticipated fixture kicks off at 14:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday, October 30, alongside a host of other Bundesliga fixtures such as Dortmund vs. Koln and Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. Wolfsburg.
Preview 1. FC Union Berlin Bundesliga, Oct 30, 2021
Preview Union Berlin picked up a 3-1 win in Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal match against SV Waldholf. Back in the German Bundesliga, Berlin were held to a 1-1 draw against ten-men VfB Stuttgart last weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Red-hot-form Taiwo Awoniyi (31’) separated both sides a minute over the half-hour mark with a sweeping left-footed strike to the bottom corner. Union picked up the numerical advantage after Atakan Karazor (R. 57’) picked up his second yellow, three minutes short of the hour mark. However, undeterred, a spirited fight from Stuttgart saw them return to level terms after a last-gasp effort from Wahid Faghir (90'). The result came after three victories in a row: LWWWD, and saw Berlin remain in 5th place, having picked up 16 points after 4W, 4D, & 1L. With the help of Taiwo Awoniyi, who is fourth on the Bundesliga highest goal scorers' list with a haul of 7, Union has netted a total of 13 goals in nine Bundesliga games. A goal against the champions on Saturday would further raise his candidacy for a place with the Reds, come next season. According to uncorroborated rumors, the 24-year-old appears to be on Bayern’s radar. Coming back to the numbers, Union has conceded 10 goals and has a goal difference of +3. A 3—5—2 formation may be seen from Urs Fischer, with Awoniyi and Becker in attack against Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Preview FC Bayern München Bundesliga, Oct 30, 2021
Preview Bayern were thrashed 5-0 by arch rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach in Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal fixture at Borussia Park. Last weekend, the Bundesliga champions picked up another resounding 4-0 victory over Hoffenheim on home soil. Two goals before the break from Serge Gnabry (16’) and Robert Lewandowski (30’) had Bayern in a comfortable lead at the break. Before goals from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (82') and Kingsley Coman (87') put the game to bed to see Bayern maintain a narrow one-point lead over second-placed Dortmund at the top of the table. The champions have 22 points from 7W, 1D, & 1L and will be returning after back-to-back victories: WWLWW. An impressive haul of 33 goals after just nine Bundesliga games leaves Bayern with an average of 3.67 goals scored per game and as the highest scoring side in the league. Having tested positive for coronavirus before the game against Hoffenheim, Julian Nagelsmann isn't expected to be anywhere near the pitch. However, the assistant, Dino Toppmöller is expected to act on his behalf when Bayern appears with the 4—2—3—1 formation against Union Berlin on Saturday. We were in constant contact with Julian Nagelsmann, said Toppmöller after the game against Hoffenheim. On availability, Ulreich (knee) is ruled out while Hernandez (calf) remains in doubt for Saturday’s fixture.