Samstag, 16. Februar 2019

MSV Duisburg - Union Berlin

Union Berlin to secure vital away victory

TEAM NEWS
Duisburg’s Christian Gartner, Joseph Baffo, Borys Tashchy and Sebastian Neumann remain sidelined while Enis Hajri is suspended after a red card against Greuther Furth last weekend.

Union Berlin will be without the injured Sebastian Polter.

Duisburg
Suspended: Enis Hajri
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee); Borys Tashchy (Achilles), Joseph Baffo (thigh)

Union Berlin
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Polter (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Struggling Duisburg are rooted to the bottom of the table, having lost 13 of their 21 league games, along with four wins and four draws. They managed to clinch an unexpected 3-2 win at home against Darmstadt two weeks ago, but were unable to register back-to-back victories as they returned to losing ways with a 1-0 defeat at Greuther Furth last time out.  The Zebras have now won only one of their past seven league matches (along with six defeats) and have conceded 18 goals during that time. They have been equally poor on their own turf, with three losses and only one win in their last four league fixtures at Schauinslandreisen-Arena.

After remaining unbeaten in their first 17 league matches (seven wins, ten draws), third-placed Union Berlin have now lost two and won only two of their previous four league outings. The fact that they have shipped exactly three goals in each of those two defeats - more goals than in any other league game - will be a worry, but they did keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 home win against Sandhausen last weekend. Both their losses have arrived on the road where they have won only once this term, drawing seven.

Union Berlin may have been poor on their travels recently, but this league fixture against the worst team in Germany’s second division is a perfect opportunity for them to bounce back. I can see the visitors claiming a crucial away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - ODD
Union Berlin’s only league win away from home was secured by a one-goal margin this season. Duisburg’s last three league matches have resulted in odd total goals, too. With that in mind, back odd total goals to be scored at Schauinslandreisen Arena.

HEAD TO HEAD
The last league encounter between Duisburg and Union Berlin was a 2-2 draw back in September. Both teams have clinched one home victory in their last five league encounters, along with three draws.

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