Prediction: Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Harry Kane to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster

Turning their attention back to Bundesliga duties on Saturday evening, Bayern Munich will travel to the capital when they meet Union Berlin.

Union Berlin

Starting with the hosts, while Union Berlin might have sprung a famous upset last season as they secured a top-four finish among Germany’s elite, Nenad Bjelica’s men are enduring a public domestic nightmare this time around. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny and still at the heart of a shock Bundesliga relegation scrap, the Iron Ones have continued to show a string of issues this year. Last seen putting in another downbeat performance as they slumped to a routine 2-0 defeat away at Augsburg, Berlin have now claimed just a single victory from any of their previous seven Bundesliga appearances. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway holding just a three-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, the Reds have also gained a reputation for their struggles in the final third. Drawing three top-flight blanks on the bounce and failing to find the net in over 300 minutes of action, Bjelica’s side have plenty of pressure on their shoulders over the final month.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Union Berlin will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Jakob Busk, Yorbe Vertessen and former Wolfsburg midfielder Jerome Roussillon this weekend. However, both serving respective suspensions last week, the duo of Lucas Tousart and ex-Inter Milan star Robin Gosens.

Despite failing to notch a single goal across any competition since opening the New Year, Germany international Kevin Volland could be handed a full recall here. Former Leeds star Brenden Aaronson will keep his spot in Bjelica’s starting XI and should be joined by Benedict Hollerbach in the final third.

Bayern Munich

As for the visitors, while Bayern Munich might have officially relinquished their Bundesliga crown to a high-flying Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, the German giants certainly claim a stunning European boost on Wednesday night. Punching their Champions League semi-final spot and making a major statement at the Allianz as they secured a 3-2 aggregate victory against Arsenal, Thomas Tuchel’s men now have all of their attention firmly focused on European success this season. Booking a final four showdown against Spanish icons Real Madrid, Munich will simply be looking to keep up their recent momentum. Smelling a golden opportunity here, the former Chelsea boss will be excited by a rampant record against Saturday’s hosts. Including a 1-0 win when they last met Berlin back on January 24th, they are unbeaten in all of their 10 historic battles against the Bundesliga relegation scrappers.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective muscle injuries and potentially unable to feature for the remainder of the season, Bayern Munich will be unable to call upon the duo of Kingsley Coman and former Arsenal starlet Serge Gnabry. Likewise, sustaining a long-term hamstring injury after completing a January switch from Galatasaray, Sacha Boey remains on the sidelines.

Continuing on a record-breaking Bundesliga romp since completing a move from Tottenham last summer and notching 39 goals across all competitions, attacking talisman Harry Kane will spearhead Tuchel’s attack in the capital.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Union Berlin and Bayern Munich met for their reverse Bundesliga showdown on January 24th, Saturday’s guests collected a 1-0 victory at the Allianz.
• Likewise, Bayern Munich are unbeaten in all of their 10 historic meetings against the Iron Ones.
• Extending on their Champions League adventure earlier in the week, Tuchel’s side have recorded consecutive clean sheets for the first time since opening the New Year.
• England skipper Harry Kane has recorded 39 goals across all competitions so far this season.
• Union Berlin have recorded just a single win from their previous seven Bundesliga appearances.

Conclusion

Making a major Champions League statement earlier in the week and punching their semi-final ticket thanks to a 3-2 aggregate victory against Arsenal, Bayern Munich will simply be looking to keep up their recent momentum. Officially relinquishing their Bundesliga crown to a record-breaking Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, Tuchel’s side should be relishing a trip to the capital on Saturday evening. Meeting a Union Berlin squad who are at the heart of a relegation scrap, we are expecting the red-hot Kane to extend on his charge for the Golden Boot.

Verdict: Harry Kane to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster