Prediction: Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who currently find themselves leading the Bundesliga chase, defending champions Bayern Munich will make the trip to Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon.

Union Berlin

Starting with the hosts, after shocking many across the Bundesliga last season as they clinched a fifth-place finish, Union Berlin have once again come flying out of the traps. In the midst of what has been a real purple patch in the German capital, Urs Fischer’s high-flying squad were last seen laying down a stellar marker on the road. Eventually cruising their way to a remarkable 6-1 romp away at Schalke, Die Eisernen now have a shock Champions League finish at the top of their agenda. Quickly gaining a reputation for their clinical displays in the final third, Union have mustered 10 points from their opening four Bundesliga outings. With their rampant start to the 2022/23 campaign underlined by a 2-1 victory against RB Leipzig on August 20th, Fischer’s side have also continued to shine on home soil. It should be noted, Fischer’s side are unbeaten at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei since way back in the middle of February.

Team News

Already mustering four Bundesliga strikes in as many appearances, attacking talisman Sheraldo Becker will once again spearhead Union Berlin’s charge here.

Continuing to impress since making the move from Sampdoria this summer, Norwegian international Morten Thorsby should keep his place in Fischer’s midfield.

Bayern Munich

As for the visitors, after having to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, there is no doubt that Bayern Munich will be seeking an immediate response here. Making more Bundesliga history last season as they defended their domestic crown thanks to an eight-point buffer, the German giants are once again tipped as a landslide pick. Opening the 2022/23 campaign by picking up 10 points from their opening four appearances, it is just their goal difference that keeps them ahead of Saturday’s hosts. Although Julian Nagelsmann might have seen his side suffer a minor stutter last time out, Bayern will be boosted by a rather rampant recent record against Union. Including an action-packed 5-2 victory when they made the trip to Germany’s capital last season, they claimed back-to-back wins against Die Eisernen by an aggregate score of 9-2. Likewise, opening the new season with 6-1 and 7-0 romps away at Eintracht Frankfurt and Bochum, Nagelsmann will be hoping for a repeat performance.

Team News

Now finding the net in back-to-back Bundesliga outings, German international and ex-Manchester City star Leroy Sane will retain his spot on the left of Nagelsmann’s attack.

Already recording three Bundesliga strikes since making the move from Liverpool this summer, Sadio Mane should once again partner Thomas Muller up top.

Key Factors to Consider

• Both Union Berlin and Bayern Munich have collected 10 points from their opening four Bundesliga matchups.
• When the two sides last faced off on March 19th, Bayern Munich picked up a 4-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, when the defending German champions made the trip to Berlin last season they claimed an action-packed 5-2 win.
• 27-year-old Sheraldo Becker has bagged four goals in as many Bundesliga appearances so far this season.
• Between them, Union Berlin and Bayern have already bagged 27 combined goals since opening the 2022/23 campaign.

Conclusion

While Bayern might be tipped as a landslide pick by the bookmakers on Saturday afternoon, the defending German champions will know that they face a real challenge here. Having to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, Nagelsmann’s men are seeking an immediate response in the capital. However, watching Union storm their way to a stellar 6-1 romp away at Schalke last time out, Die Eisernen have really come flying out of the traps this season. Two sides who open this weekend’s fixtures leading the Bundesliga chase, we could be in for an enjoyable affair at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet