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Union Berlin vs. VfB Stuttgart
On the 26th matchday of the Bundesliga, a duel will take place at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei which can almost be described as a battle of the generations when looking at the different squads. The match between Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart will kick off at 15:30 on Saturday.
The Eisernen have the highest average age of players of all clubs in this Bundesliga season (28.7 years), VfB the lowest (24.2 years). This difference has been noticeable in the course of the season so far, especially in the defence. In terms of the number of goals scored this season, Union (32) and VfB (31) are on a par, which cannot be said for the number of goals conceded (33 to 47). This is also the reason why Union is once again fighting for an international spot, while the Swabians are in acute danger of relegation.
In our Union vs. Stuttgart betting tips, you can read who we think will win the duel between the “old and the young” and what other predictions we would make for this Bundesliga match.
Union Berlin – Stuttgart Info
– Date & Time: 12.03.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Stadion an der alten Försterei, Berlin
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 26
– TV coverage: Sky Sport Bundesliga
Union Berlin Form & Balance Check
Max Kruse’s move to VfL Wolfsburg has definitely not left his now former team unscathed, that much can be said with absolute certainty five matchdays later. After ten points from four games, the Berliners have suffered four defeats in the first five Bundesliga games without the 33-year-old attacking player (as many as in 20 games before). The programme during this period actually gave rise to hopes of a somewhat better result.
Barely any goals without Kruse
The defeats in Augsburg (0:2), at home against Dortmund (0:3) and in Bielefeld (0:1) were followed by the 3:1 home win against Mainz, before the most recent away match at VfL Wolfsburg was lost again with 0:1. As can be easily seen from these results, the capitals have major problems, especially on the offensive, to radiate serious danger without their playmaker.
Fairly, however, it should also be mentioned in this context that especially the defeat in Wolfsburg (own goal by Awoniyi, 54% possession and 19:8 shots for Union) turned out very unfortunate in retrospect. The game could definitely have gone differently. Against Stuttgart, with their own fans behind them, they now want to score three points again to prevent the gap to the Europa League places from widening (currently 4 points).
Union Berlin facts & analysis
– 37 points from 25 games
– Last lost 0:1 in Wolfsburg
– 4 of last 5 games goalless (previous 24 games for 4x goalless)
– Oldest team in the league
Stuttgart form & balance check
As an outsider, you probably can’t imagine how many stones fell from the hearts of VfB Stuttgart’s players last Saturday when they finally heard the referee’s final whistle. After nine games without a win, the Swabians turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach, finally earning three points again after a long time. The gap to the relegation zone was reduced to one point with this victory, and the safety zone is now only three points away. Against Union, the Swabians are now looking to celebrate two wins in a row for the first time this season.
VfB have it in their own hands
Six points from two games would be a huge step towards staying in the league, given the poor performances of current sixteenth-placed Hertha BSC. However, VfB still have everything in their own hands in terms of reaching the relegation places. In the last nine matchdays, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team will play against all three clubs immediately ahead of them in the table (Hertha, Bielefeld, Augsburg). After the away game at Union Berlin, VfB will host FC Augsburg before heading to Arminia in Bielefeld after the two-week break on 2 April.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
– 22 points from 25 games
– Last win 3:2 against Mönchengladbach
– Last win after 9 games without a win
– Winless in Bundesliga against Union (2U, 1N)
Predicted line-up – last update on 10 March 2022
Union will be missing Keita Endo (knee injury) as well as Andreas Luthe and Kevin Behrens (both Corona) this weekend. In contrast to the 0:1 in Wolfsburg, we expect captain Trimmel back in the starting eleven. Instead of Paul Jaeckel, Dominique Heintz could also start in the back three.
VfB still have to do without Nikolas Nartey (knee), Silas (shoulder), Jordan Meyer (meniscus tear) and Mohamed Sankoh (knee). The starting eleven should remain unchanged. However, Orel Mangala could play for the injured Chris Führich.
Chris Führich is training individually. VfB pic.twitter.com/hHsvtCDI7x
– VfB Stuttgart (@VfB) March 9, 2022
Union Berlin – Stuttgart direct comparison & Statistics
The direct comparison is curiously completely even, as 5 of the 7 encounters have not found a winner. Apart from that, both sides have won one match each – Stuttgart a second division home match in 2017 (3:1), Union the last Bundesliga home match in April 2021 (2:1). The first leg ended 1-1.
– A year ago, VfB Stuttgart were in 8th position in the table with 36 points. They are currently in 17th position (22).
– When Union Berlin leads 1-0 in home games, they win 84% of the games.
– Attention, goals are likely to be scored today: VfB Stuttgart have conceded one goal in each of their last 8 matches.
– Union Berlin: Rani Khedira has collected the most yellow cards (6). For VfB Stuttgart it is Tanguy Coulibaly (6).
