After two games without a win, Wolfsburg will be looking to bounce back on Saturday afternoon, but a home game against a defiant Union Berlin side doesn’t exactly represent a gilt-edged chance for success. Will either team come out on top at Volkswagen Arena? Read on for our free predictions and tips.
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Bookmaker Ratings prediction one: Draw No Bet – Union Berlin – 2.38
Bookmaker Ratings prediction two: Both Teams to Score – YES – 1.95
Union Berlin Draw No Bet
Looking at the early betting, it’s hard to not see the visitors as slightly overpriced. They arrive here with more momentum, considerably more points in the bag, while they’ve also got the positive experience of beating this Wolfsburg side once this season already. The case for the visitors being the value option at the prices builds when we learn that they’ve accumulated just one point less on the road than Wolfsburg have at home. They also score more goals (on average) away from home than the hosts do at Volkswagen Arena.
Both Teams to Score – YES
A secondary option is ‘Both Teams to Score’. Wolfsburg have a reasonable scoring record of late, notching in each of their last four, but they’ve not been able to keep teams out, especially at home, where they’ve conceded in five of their last six. Both teams have scored in 67% of Union Berlin’s away games this season.
It did look as though Wolfsburg were creeping towards a challenge for the top six, though after a couple of disappointing results, taking just one point from a possible six, they’re once again in the bottom half, and are now 12 points shy of Hoffenheim, who currently sit in that all-important sixth position.
They’ve found something of a scoring touch in recent weeks, which is pleasing, though an uplift in attacking form has coincided with a downturn in defensive solidity. Die Wölfe conceded twice last time out, while they conceded twice prior to that too, and have now kept just one clean sheet in their last five. At home, it’s one clean sheet in six. Therein lies the reason behind Wolsburg’s failure to put together a winning streak that they so desperately crave.
While the hosts continue to be marooned mid-table, Union are pushing hard for their place on the continent next season, and a European adventure is a very real possibility for Urs Fischer’s men, who are just three points off the top six at present.
After suffering three back-to-back defeats, Saturday’s visitors made a timely return to winning ways last time out, beating fellow top-half team Mainz by three goals to one, and such a result should mean that they go to Volkswagen Arena feeling confident. The way the Berlin boys beat Wolfsburg earlier in the season should only add to that confidence.
Something at a juicier price is ‘Taiwo Awoniyi to Score Anytime’. Scorer of ten goals so far this season, the Nigerian has proven to be a thorn in the side of several Bundesliga sides. With an average of 0.63 goals (and 0.61 expected goals) per 90 minutes, Union’s main goal threat stands out as a goal-getter at odds of 2/1.
Paulo Otavio remains out with a knee injury, while Maxence Lacroix is suspended following a red card last time out. Lukas Nmecha is still doubtful. Union could be without Keita Endo, who has been nursing an injury for a few weeks now.
Starting Line-ups
Wolfsburg: Casteels, Mbabu, Bornauw, Brooks, Baku, Arnold, Vranckx, Roussillon, Philipp, Kruse, Older Wind.
Union Berlin: Luthe, Jaeckel, Knoche, Baumgartl, Trimmel, Khedira, Giesselmann, Haraguchi, Promel, Awoniyi, Voglsammer.
Andreas Voglsammer
While Awoniyi has gotten most of the plaudits this season for his scoring, Andreas Voglsammer has gone under the radar a bit, though his importance has shined through of late. After scoring in the cup during the week, the forward, who averages an eye-catching 0.40 combined expected goals and assists per 90 minutes, is one to watch here.
Earlier in the campaign, Union Berlin beat Wolfsburg by two goals to nil in front of a home crowd.
This fixture will be played at Volkswagen Arena.
We recommend checking out both William Hill and Vbet ahead of this fixture.