Union Berlin – Werder Bremen
After the European Cup matches during the week, the ball is rolling again in the Bundesliga stadiums this weekend. Three quarters of the season is already over and it’s slowly entering the hot phase. We are looking forward to an exciting weekend, including the match between Union Berlin and Werder Bremen. Find out in our Union – Bremen betting tip whether Union can secure a home win or whether Bremen will come out on top.
After a disastrous start to the season, the team from Köpenick have recovered in the second half of the season and were able to leave the relegation places a few matchdays ago. Even if the Berliners currently have a small lead over the dangerous zone, they must not let up. They have recently suffered two defeats in a row and Union need points again to avoid slipping down the table.
Bremen have also lost their last two games and have had to relinquish their pole position as the top contenders for the international places to others. If they want to be in the fight for the European Cup places again, they need a win
Union – Bremen Info
- Date & Time: 16.03.2024, 3:30 pm
- Playing venue: Alte Forsterei, Berlin
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 26
- TV broadcast/livestream: Sky
Union Form & Balance Check
The Berliners have not had an easy program recently. The recent defeats against Stuttgart and Dortmund are no disgrace, and Union picked up a stable eight points from the previous four games. Relegation is not yet assured and coach Nenad Bjelica knows that his team must not get into a negative streak again.
The Köpenickers are currently in 14th place with 25 points and are seven points off the relegation places. With a win, the team could consolidate its position in mid-table and even climb one or two places. Their upcoming opponents from Bremen are just five points away
Without Haberer until further notice
The Berliners will have to make do without midfielder Janik Haberer for the time being. The club announced this in a press release, but did not provide any specific details about his injury. Haberer is no longer part of the Berlin squad and has only played a total of 29 minutes in the last five games.
Nevertheless, coach Bjelica might have liked the 29-year-old to play against Bremen, as team-mate Andras Schäfer, who has usually been in the starting line-up recently, will also have to miss out this weekend due to his red card from the Stuttgart game
Union facts & analysis
- 14th place in the table
- Lost two games recently
- Fourth-fewest goals conceded in the second half of the season
Bremen Form & Balance Sheet Check
Bremen have also been unlucky of late. The most recent defeat against BVB was their third game in a row without a win. Against Dortmund, Werder played the entire second half outnumbered, but failed to make up the 2-0 deficit from the first half. Bremen have collected just three points from their last five games and are slipping down the table again.
The team led by coach Ole Werner is currently 10th in the table with 30 points. The difference to sixth place, and thus the last international qualification place, is already ten points. Nevertheless, Bremen should try to move up the table as far as possible, as the DFB Cup winner, who has not yet been determined, could add another international place to their tally
Injury on comeback
After weeks of complaints, Niklas Stark made his comeback in the Bundesliga against BVB last weekend. In February, the 28-year-old suffered an injury in the match against 1. FC Heidenheim. However, unlucky Stark had to be substituted after 83 minutes against Dortmund as he unfortunately suffered an inner ligament injury and will have to take another few weeks off. Bremen’s head of the professional department Clemens Fritz said in an interview that he hopes Stark will be available for the Bremen team for the final spurt of the season
Bremen facts & analysis
- Tenth place in the table
- Last game lost
- Not won in three games
Union play in a 3-5-2 system. Coach Bjelica will have to do without Schäfer in midfield. He is likely to be replaced by US-American Brenden Aaronson. In attack, Benedict Hollerbach could once again start alongside Kevin Volland. Vertesse Yorbe would rotate onto the bench for him. In defense, the veterans Robin Knoche and Christopher Trimmel are further options.
Bremen will also line up in a 3-5-2 formation. The injured Stark will be replaced by Christian Groß. Leonardo Bittencourt could get another chance in midfield. But Nick Woltemade or Skelly Alvero would also be candidates for a starting role in the center. The forward line around Marvin Ducksch and Justin Njinmah remains unchanged
Union – Bremen head-to-head comparison & stats
This will be the 9th clash in history between Union and Bremen this Saturday. Seven games have been played in the Bundesliga and one in the DFB Cup. Union have won five of them, while Bremen have come out on top three times. The points have therefore never been shared.
The first leg this season went to Werder 2-0, but the Berliners dominated the four games before that. The only DFB Cup meeting between the two was also the first ever encounter. Back then, in 2009, Bremen ran out clear 5-0 winners
Direct comparison (H2H)
