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Bayer Leverkusen vs. Union Berlin
In a few days, the time has finally come – with the 18th matchday, the Bundesliga returns to our daily routine after an abstinence of around three weeks. After the opening match between Bayern and Gladbach on Friday evening (Bayern vs Gladbach tip), the next five matches are scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Among others, the Werkself from Leverkusen will receive 1. FC Union Berlin. Kick-off is at 15:30 in the BayArena.
On both sides, the start to the second half of the season has not been particularly successful in recent years. Union have lost both games on matchday 18 in Germany’s top division so far, while Leverkusen have won only one of their last eight games to start the second half of the season (4:1 against Paderborn in 2020). At home, there were even four defeats in a row on matchday 18! Despite these statistics, our Leverkusen vs. Union Berlin tip reveals who we think will have a successful start to the new year and what other predictions we would make for this match.
Leverkusen -Union Berlin Info
– Date & Time: 08.01.2022, at 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Leverkusen, BayArena (up to 30,000 spectators)
– Competition: Bundesliga, 18th matchday
– TV broadcast: Sky Sport Bundesliga
Leverkusen -Union Berlin Tip
Bayer Leverkusen go into this game as favourites despite their messed-up first-half finish and are looking to finally get back on track after picking up just one point from their last three games. For this mission, however, the Werkself would certainly have preferred an opponent other than 1. FC Union Berlin. The Capitals are once again a very difficult team to play against this season. In the entire first half of the season, the Eisernen suffered just four defeats, two of them against Dortmund and Bayern. In the first leg, Leverkusen and Union drew 1-1 and we expect a very even match in the second leg as well.
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
The Werkself from Leverkusen has made an excellent start to the 2021/22 season and has even been Bayern’s number one chaser for a long time. In the course of the first half of the season, however, Gerard Seoane’s team has increasingly lost ground, winning only three of their last ten games. At least Bayer could rely on goal scorer Patrik Schick even in the bad phases, who scored a strong 16 goals in 17 games and can even compete with Lewandowski and Haaland with this yield. However, he has yet to score against Union in four games.
Who will now defend for the Werkself?
In total, the Werkself scored 40 times in the first half of the season (only Bayern and BVB scored more often). In Leverkusen’s entire Bundesliga history, only 2001/02 had more goals (43) at this point. Accordingly, the attack is not the reason why the Werkself has slipped further and further in the table, but the defence. 28 goals conceded in 17 games means only 13th place in the league-wide defensive rankings and now two potential central defenders, Edmond Tabsoba and Odilon Kossounou, will be absent in the coming weeks. We will be very curious to see how the already fragile Leverkusen backline will perform with the remaining personnel.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
– 28 points from 17 games
– Last lost 2:1 in Freiburg
– None of the 4 duels with Union lost at home
– Won only 1 of last 8 matches on matchday 18
Union Berlin Form & Balance Check
The visitors from Berlin have once again exceeded their own expectations and played a very strong first half by their standards. With 27 points after 17 games, the Eisernen have only one point less on their account than at the same time last season. Similar to the Werkself, however, the Berliners also slackened off somewhat towards the end of the first half of the season, even though it had long been clear that they would not be able to maintain this form over the entire year. Of the first nine games, Union only lost the away game at BVB (4:2). In the second half of the first half series, they then added three more defeats and only three victories.
Who will score the goals now?
In the first games of the second half of the season, the offensive might be a bit sluggish. It has been known for some time that Taiwo Awoniyi will not be available in the coming weeks due to the Africa Cup. Now, however, Sheraldo Becker, a player who had been firmly planned to play up front alongside Max Kruse in his absence, has been infected with the Corona virus. But with two potential regulars out, a player who has only started once this season – Kevin Behrens – could move into the starting eleven.
Union Berlin Facts & Analysis
27 points from 17 games
– Last win 0:1 in Bochum
– None of the last 3 duels with Leverkusen lost
– Lost both Bundesliga matches on matchday 18 so far
Predicted line-up – last update on 6 January 2022
The Werkself will have to do without their African centre-backs Edmond Tabsoba and Odilon Kossounou in the coming weeks, which is why Panagiotis Retsos could return to the starting eleven. Otherwise, Piero Hincapie will have to step in. Julian Baumgartlinger and Charles Aranguiz are missing due to injury. In defensive midfield, either Kerem Demirbay or Exequiel Palacios could start. On the left wing, Amine Adle or Karim Bellarabi will play.
Union Berlin will have to do without Taiwo Awoniyi, who is also competing in the Africa Cup. In addition, Sheraldo Becker recently tested positive for the Corona virus. At most, it is questionable whether Ryerson or Christopher Trimmel and whether Rani Khedira or Kevin Möhwald will start.
Coming soon to the BayArena: B04FCU pic.twitter.com/f6NhTXWGaX
– Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) January 3, 2022
Leverkusen -Union Berlin Direct Comparison & Statistics
The still young direct comparison clearly favours the Werkself, who have won five of the previous eight duels. Two encounters ended in a draw, and Union were victorious once. Recently, however, the tide has turned. After Bayer Leverkusen had previously won five times, Union won the home match 1-0 in January 2021, before the last two meetings in May and August finally ended 1-1.
– The comparisons between the two clubs last season: 1-1 (home to Bayer Leverkusen) and 1-0 (home to Union Berlin).
– Did you know that Bayer Leverkusen score 28% of their goals between the 0-15 minute? That is the highest figure in the league.
– Bayer Leverkusen have conceded one goal in each of their last 7 matches.
– Bayer Leverkusen: Moussa Diaby has collected the most yellow cards 7. At Union Berlin it is Rani Khedira 4.
– A look at Bayer Leverkusen: Patrik Schick is the top scorer with 16 goals. Taiwo Awoniyi scored 9 times for Union Berlin.
