Union Berlin - Arminia Bielefeld

Union Berlin to come out on top at Alte Forsterei

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin will be without the injured Sebastian Polter.

Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Soren Brandy, Cedric Brunner and Christopher Nothe will be sidelined.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Polter (foot)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Christopher Nothe, Soren Brandy (all knee); Cedric Brunner (ill)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

The last five league matches have seen Union Berlin succumb to their first two defeats this season, but they have bounced back with back-to-back wins over Sandhausen (2-0) at home and Duisburg (3-2) away in their two most recent league outings. The team have moved up to second in the process, four points behind leaders Hamburg. Union Berlin have been excellent at Alte Forsterei all season, registering the league's best home record with eight wins and three draws.

After starting the new year with three successive wins over Dresden (4-3), Hamburg (2-0) and Jahn Regensburg (3-0), Bielefeld fell to a disappointing home defeat last weekend, losing 3-1 against relegation candidates Magdeburg. Bielefeld had one player sent off before conceding the three goals. They are now in 11th on 27 points and have won four, drawn three and lost three of their last ten league fixtures.

Union Berlin are pushing for promotion while Bielefeld's prime objective is to stay away from potential relegation trouble. Urs Fischer’s side have been very strong at home and the hosts will clearly fancy their chances in this one. My money is going on the home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Five of Union Berlin’s last six league victories at Alte Forsterei have been secured by a two-goal margin. With that in mind, put some money on even total goals to be scored in this league clash.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last four league meetings between Union Berlin and Bielefeld have produced only ten goals in total. Union Berlin won 3-1 back in February 2017 while the other three league encounters ended in 1-1 draws.