Union Berlin - MSV Duisburg

Union Berlin to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin are missing the injured Sebastian Polter, Michael Parensen, Akaki Gogia and Fabian Schonheim.

Andreas Wiegel is still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Michael Parensen (unspecified), Akaki Gogia (ligaments)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Andreas Wiegel (meniscus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

The playoffs look out of Union Berlin’s reach after the team have won just two of their last 15 2. Bundesliga games. In fact, since Andre Hofschneider took over from Jens Keller in December, Union have lost six and drawn four of their last 12. They succumbed to a 2-1 loss on the road against Greuther Furth in their last league outing and now find themselves in 11^th, trailing third-placed Holstein Kiel by nine points, but they are only two points above the drop zone. 

Duisburg’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after a 4-1 home loss to rock-bottom side Kaiserslautern last Saturday, which was their fourth defeat on the spin. The Zebras are still in with a chance of reaching the promotion playoff place, although they have now slipped eight points behind third-placed Holstein Kiel. Nevertheless, Ilja Gruev’s men have collected more points on their travel than at home and that will give them hope to get back on track against Union.

Despite their poor campaign to this point, Union are unbeaten in their last four at Alte Forsterei. Have a punt on the hosts to seal vital victory this Saturday afternoon.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – GREUTHER FURTH

Union Berlin have opened the scoring in five of their last nine home league games this term while Duisburg have conceded first in their last three league road games. Therefore, put some money on Union to score first this Saturday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin have won four of their eight home meetings against Duisburg, with the other matches ending in two draws and two defeats. The reverse fixture ended with a 1-1 draw at Duisburg last October