Union Berlin - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

This encounter stand under different signs. First was is Union who is in midfield of the table, they are far away from any relegation trouble but also from promotion battle. In this case they can play fresh and without any pressure. On the other side is Kaiserslautern in a good position to return in 1.Bundesliga after a few years in 2nd one. This is their aim and they are working hard for it but they do not talk about it. In all the other years they were much more offensive with this and they always failed.

It was not the best atmosphere this trainings week in Berlin. Coach Düwel was still very angry about the 2-3 in Leipzig, above all the goals they conceded he was not very pleased as well. If you concede 3 goals in 13 minutes you must ask the defensive line what they have done in this time. He had a long talk with all the defensive players this weak and he wants only professional work nothing more and nothing less. He thinks now to return back to a 3 men defending line but this experiment was not from success to begin of the season too. Against one of the top teams in 2.Bundesliga they need a more compact playing team and therefore he us the old style with 4 men. The players maybe get all a new chance but if they do not use it this time it is hard to see them in starting lineup against next week. In offensive they have some more problems with players because with Thiel and Brandy are two offensive players are not available and this means a change. Quiring is the first one who replace Brandy on the wing. He did this already in Leipzig and should not the big problem at all. The last practiced 4-2-3-1 on road games can be changed to a more offensive playing style from 4-4-2 and two strikers up front what help Polter to get more actions in the box.

It is only 5 days ago when Kaiserslautern made a great Cup game in Leverkusen and beat them a hard and fair fight till extra time. This maybe was a good and extra advertisement for them but for the power it was not so helpful. They are back in the normal league business and they must bring all their attention on the pitch today if they want to get anything against Union what is always hard at "Alte Försterrei". They want continue their good run and put some pressure on their promotion rivals. Back is Löwe who must pass in Leverkusen while Zoller is out injured. Runjaic has two options in attack for Zoller with Hofmann and Jacob. The next open position is in goal because in Cup played Müller and after Coach Runjaic got ask about the his keepers he said that the fight is very open between both. But all know that Sippel gets no contract for next season therefore a change is very simple to handle here and they give Müller some match praxis as well. In midfield there are also some open positions but 4 of the 5 are sure for Karl, Ring, Jenssen and Zimmer while Demirbay and Matmour fights for the last remaining place in starting lineup.

Overall a close match where both can win but it is always hard for teams to play in Berlin against Union in their stadium where the crowd is absolutely great and stand 90 minutes behind their team.


Additional Info:

Some of you who want to bet something in 2.Bundesliga and do not know what they should do with the 3 games today. My advice is, if you put your money on all home teams, you are in a good position. These are Union +0,25, FSV Frankfurt 0 and 1860 Munich -0,25 or 0. Best choice in my eyes.