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VfL Bochum vs. Union Berlin
At the end of the first half of the Bundesliga, VfL Bochum and 1. FC Union Berlin will meet for the first time in Germany’s top division. Previously, both clubs played against each other exclusively in the 2nd Bundesliga. The hosts’ sporting starting position says that Bochum are four points behind Union before kick-off. After two wins and a draw recently, coach Thomas Reis’ team was defeated by Bielefeld on Wednesday.
Union Berlin also showed weakness recently. The Köpenicker were the first team to lose this season against Greuther Fürth, who had previously been winless at the bottom of the table and had been promoted. The Eisernen wanted to correct this embarrassing fact against Freiburg. However, only a 0-0 draw followed against the Breisgauer, so both teams do not want to have to celebrate the end of the year with a defeat. Find out how the first duel in the 1st Bundesliga between the two clubs could most likely end in our Bochum – Union Berlin betting tip.
Bochum – Union Berlin Info
– Date & Time: 18.12.2021, at 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Bochum, Stadion an der Castroper Straße
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 17
– Broadcast: Sky
Bochum Form & Balance Check
The fact that VfL Bochum had to make the journey back to the Ruhr against Arminia Bielefeld without any points on Wednesday came as a surprise to more than a few experts. After two recent victories and a strong 1:1 against BVB, coach Thomas Reis’ team rightly travelled to the Bielefeld Alm with great self-confidence. With 0:2, Wednesday’s match was a sobering game for the Revierclub. Despite the defeat, Bochum played a surprisingly strong first half of the season and, with 20 points, have a good starting position for the second half of the season.
Castroper Straße the key
Promoted teams have to pick up the points at home in order to stay in the class. VfL Bochum is no different. However, the Revierclub does it particularly well. Coach Thomas Reis’ team has won 14 of its 20 points so far at home on Castroper Straße. In addition, the club from deep in the west has gone five home games without defeat.
Bochum facts & analysis
– Bochum lost for the first time in 3 games on Wednesday.
– VfL are currently in 12th place with 20 points
– 5 home games in a row the Revierclub could finish without defeat
Union Berlin Form & Balance Check
The preliminary round exit in the Conference League is gnawing at the East Berliners. Since Union Berlin failed to win against Skavia Prague last Thursday and thus bowed out of the European Cup early, coach Urs Fischer’s team has also been winless in the Bundesliga. In fact, the Eisernen managed to lose 1:0 against last-placed and previously winless promoted Fürth. Against Freiburg on Wednesday, Union wanted to make amends, but could not get beyond a 0:0.
Match idea missing
One sporting explanation for the current crisis in results could be the lack of a game idea. Most recently, Union always managed to exude scoring danger by serving Awoniyi up front. With nine goals in the season, the Nigerian is the Eisernen’s life insurance. But Awoniyi has also lost his cool in recent weeks. The double burden of the Conference League has made Union look tired. The winter break could come just in time for the Köpenickers to avoid actually falling into a crisis.
Union Facts & Analysis
– With 24 points, Union are in 8th place in the table.
– Union failed to score any goals for two games in a row
– The Eisernen have only one win from their last 4 games
Predicted line-up – last update on 16 December 2021
VfL Bochum tries to play boldly and offensively. For this style of play, coach Thomas Reis prefers a 4-1-4-1 formation. 5 defensively oriented players are to ensure order in generic possession and 5 offensive players for own goal threat. Recently, this approach did not fully work, which is why Bochum could switch to a 4-3-3 again.
Union Berlin never change their style of play. Under coach Urs Fischer, the Köpenickers always play high and bold. In a basic 3-1-4-2 formation, the East Berliners play with quick wing-backs who move back into defence when the ball is in generic possession. So Union are 5-3-2 against the ball.
Bochum – Union Berlin direct comparison & statistics
VfL Bochum and 1. FC Union Berlin have already met 21 times. In this duel, the Eisernen earned a more positive record. Union won 11 games, whereas Bochum only managed to win 7. A further 3 meetings ended in a draw. The last time they met, the final whistle was blown for a 2-2 draw.
– Bochum are winless against Union since 3 matches.
– Union failed to win 5 away matches in a row in Bochum.
– 3 of Bochum’s 4 home wins over Union so far have ended 2-1.
– Union last won in Bochum in 2013.
