Prediction: Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen

Verdict: Away team over 1.75 goals

Best odds: 1.84

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Bayer Leverkusen are headed for a historic performance in the 28th Bundesliga round matchup with Union Berlin. With one hand on what looks like it might be their first-ever Bundesliga title, Xabi Alonso and his team have a clear target in mind when they travel to the German capital.

On the other side, more than 20,000 fans are expected at the An der Alten Forsterei Stadium as they support the home team in their attempt to win a crucial game in the relegation battle.

Union Berlin

With seven games remaining and following Urs Fischer’s resignation in November, the hosts found themselves in a relegation struggle for the first time in recent years, having previously played regular European football. Although Union has a nine-point safety net, the capital team is still in danger of a dropout.

Additionally, the team has responded well to Nenad Bielica’s appointment as manager, starting to rack up points and edging closer to safety. Still, the young Croatian coach failed at a European level, being knocked out of the Champions League following a home loss to Real Madrid, thus ending the Union Berlin’s European campaign earlier than expected.

Despite facing formidable teams like Wolfsburg and Borussia Monchengladbach, the home team has proven unbeatable at An der Aten Fosterei Stadium since Nenad Bielica took command. Furthermore, the Union’s only home defeats since last November came against Real Madrid and Dortmund.

Following the latest Bundesliga wins, Union Berlin will approach the Leverkusen clash with confidence, aiming to maintain their invincibility in front of the unbeaten visitors.

Furthermore, the April outcomes will largely determine Nenad Bielica’s team’s future after two difficult away games to Augsburg and Monchengladbach, followed by a Bayern Munich visit.

Team News

Nenad Bielica has a full-fit squad at disposition to face Leverkusen. The Croatian manager is expected to use the same attacking 3-4-1-2 lineup. Aaronson will aim to replicate the Bremen performance when he scored the winning goal.

The young Belgian striker Yorbe Vertessen has raised his game level under Nenad Bielica, becoming a key figure in Union Berlin’s lineup. The Belgian ace rewarded Bielica’s confidence in him, playing at a top level against Bremen, giving his team an early 2nd half lead.

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are on course to make history. Xabi Alonso’s players have been putting in outstanding performances in every single game this term. What’s more, the Black and Reds are currently the only undefeated team in Europe’s top leagues, a feat that will be hard to match in the future.

Freshly qualified for the German Cup final after an emphatic 4-0 semi-final mid-week win over Dusseldorf, Leverkusen are on course to become Germany’s new champions. There is no doubt that achieving this would be a historic achievement considering Bayern Munich’s dominance in the last decade.

With a Bay Arena comeback against Qarabag, the Bundesliga leaders also moved to the Europa League quarterfinals this term. This was their 34th win of the season and an important step forward at the international stage, less than a year after falling to Mourinho’s Roma in the semi-final at the end of a heated doubleheader.

This visiting club has so far delighted its supporters with numerous outstanding goals and incredible comebacks. The most recent instance came when Leverkusen scored three goals past Freiburg in a 3-2 away win.

Team News

Considering the high amount of intense fixtures Leverkusen players were subject to, we can say that the medical staff did an outstanding job keeping the players injury-free. However, right-back Arthur is the only player out since September last year following a terrible muscle injury.

The on-fire duo Patrick Schick and Florian Wirtz will be keen to have their names on the scoresheet again. Both players performed great at the last Freiburg outing by scoring a goal a piece.

Key factors to consider

• Union Berlin has the upper hand on Leverkusen in the last three encounters at the An der Alten Forsterei Stadium (W1, D2)
• The host is in a safety zone, nine points above the relegation
• Bayer Leverkusen has had an exceptional season being undefeated across all competitions
• The visitors are cruising towards a historic treble, leading the title race in the Bundesliga, being also qualified in the German Cup and the Europa League quarter-finals
• Xabi Alonso’s team impressed in the latest Bundesliga outing, edging Freiburg with a 3-2 win

Conclusion

Bayer Leverkusen dominated the Bundesliga all season long. The visitors proved to be a goal-scoring machine in Germany’s top flight netting 68 times in 27 rounds. We expect another masterclass from Xabi Alonso’s team and two or more goals scored against Union Berlin.

Verdict: Away team over 1.75 goals

Best odds: 1.84

Bookmaker: ZetBet