Arminia Bielefeld - Union Berlin

Bielefeld to secure narrow win over Union Berlin

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury but working on his comeback.

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Suleiman Abdullahi, Marc Torrejon, Fabian Schonheim, Joshua Mees and Sebastian Polter.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Suleiman Abdullahi (ankle), Marc Torrejon (calf), Joshua Mees (thigh), Fabian Schonheim (not fit)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Coach Jeff Saibene has made a solid start at Bielefeld, with his team picking up two wins, two draws and only one defeat from their first five league games. However, after beating Jahn Regensburg 5-3 in a great showdown three weeks ago, the team only managed to draw 0-0 at newly-promoted Magdeburg last time out. Nevertheless, the team are still unbeaten on home soil with back-to-back wins over Dresden and Regensburg.

Union Berlin have made a very strong start to their season, winning two, drawing three and losing none of their five league encounters up until now. As a result, Union are sitting in sixth position with nine points and a positive goal difference of +4. In their last league matchup, they came from 2-1 behind to claim an important point against rock-bottom Duisburg, thanks to a Florian Hubner header in injury time. 

These two sides are expected to be there or thereabouts in the promotion hunt come the end of the season, and this should be a cracking league game at Schuco Arena. I feel this match will end in an entertaining home win for Bielefeld.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

All of the last nine league meetings between the pair have finished with even total goals. I believe that this one will be finishing in the same style. Have a punt on even total goals to be scored at Schuco Arena in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD

Last season, both league fixtures ended in 1-1 draws. However, Bielefeld have the edge on home soil overall, winning three, drawing four and losing only one of the last eight league fixtures on their own turf.