Borussia Dortmund – Union Berlin
During the week, the 2nd matchday of the group phase in the Champions League was played. In the Bundesliga, however, the 7th round is already on the agenda this weekend. Two teams that did not achieve the desired results in the top division will meet in the Ruhrpott on Saturday. Find out which team will take three points in the league this weekend in our Dortmund – Union tip.
The Black and Yellows played AC Milan at home in the Champions League on Wednesday. However, BVB did not manage more than a 0-0 draw and is therefore in last place in Group F after two games. In the league, however, Borussia is still unbeaten and won for the third time in a row in a 3:1 victory in Sinsheim the previous week.
Union Berlin, on the other hand, have lost their last six games in a row. However, the performances of the Eisernen were mostly anything but bad. Even in the Champions League against Braga, the FCU had enough chances and lost more than unluckily in injury time with 2:3.
Dortmund – Union Info:
- Date & Time: 07.10.2023, 15:30 Uhr
- Game venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 7
- TV broadcast: Sky
Dortmund Form & Balance Check
BVB’s playing class has been lacking in many places so far in what is still a fairly short season. In the top flight, these deficiencies are also reflected in the standings. After two games, Borussia is at the bottom of Group F with only one point. In the league, however, the team of coach Edin Terzic has managed quite well so far with its limited style of play.
Currently, the Black and Yellows are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga. They even won the last three games and climbed to fourth place in the table. In the previous week, BVB won a hard-fought match with TSG Hoffenheim 3:1.
Brandt turns up the heat
Julian Brandt leads Borussia Dortmund’s list of scorers this Bundesliga season, with one goal and four assists. He has been involved in a goal in each of the last five matchdays. The 27-year-old thus continues his strong pre-season, in which he scored nine goals and contributed eight assists.
In general, Julian Brandt has become one of Borussia Dortmund’s most important players in recent years. In the current season, the offensive man would like to build on his last season at Bayer Leverkusen, in which he had seven goals and 14 assists to his name at the end of the season.
Dortmund facts & analysis
- Fourth in the Bundesliga
- Only one Bundesliga defeat in 2023
- Won 3:1 in Hoffenheim the previous week
Union form & balance check
The Ironmen from the east of the capital have not continued their previous effectiveness this season. The Unioners’ run of bad luck means that the Köpenickers have now lost four league games in a row and, including the top flight, have lost six in a row. With six points from the first six games, FCU is in eleventh place in the middle of the table.
Union also failed to put the ball in the opponent’s goal in the previous week’s guest game against 1. FC Heidenheim and lost 0:1. Things didn’t go any better in the Champions League at the Olympiastadion on Tuesday, as the Köpenickers were unlucky to lose 2:3 with a goal conceded by Castro in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Becker in focus
In the summer of 2019, Union Berlin signed Sheraldo Becker from ADO Den Haag shortly after their promotion from the 2. Bundesliga. Over the next few years, the Suriname international developed into an absolute regular for the Eisernen and experienced Union’s European adventures in the Conference League and Europa League.
The highlight of the 28-year-old’s career, however, probably took place on Tuesday. In the second Champions League match of his career, Becker captained the Eisern and scored a brace in the sold-out Olympiastadion. His goals, however, did not prevent the Köpenicker from going down again.
Union facts & analysis
- Placed 4th in the Bundesliga last season.
- Lost 0:1 against Heidenheim the previous week
- Only one goal in last four league games
Predicted line-up – last update on 6 October 2023
For BVB, we expect the usual 4-2-3-1 again this weekend. In central midfield, we expect the slightly more attacking combination of Özcan and Nmecha again against FCU. Ramy Bensebaini is missing from BVB after his sending off the previous week.
Union will not change anything in the playing system despite the ongoing misery. The Eisernen will continue to rely on a 3-5-2, with Sheraldo Becker likely to be set in the centre of attack after his brace in the top flight.
Dortmund – Union Direct comparison & Statistics
In the ten meetings between the two teams so far, Borussia Dortmund have the edge in direct comparisons. Dortmund have won seven games, while Union Berlin have won three. In the previous season, the home team prevailed in each case.
- Union have never won in Dortmund
- The two teams are separated by eight points in the league.
- Dortmund win the first half in 46% of their games, Union in 28% of their games
