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Union Berlin vs. 1. FC Köln
The Bundesliga is back after the international break with several big matches. In addition to the two absolute top games from Bayern and Dortmund on Saturday, we also include the game on Friday. Union Berlin and 1. FC Köln, two European Cup contenders, will also meet here. Kick-off at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei is at 20:30.
Cologne are currently in seventh place in the Bundesliga table with 40 points, while Union Berlin are in ninth place with two points less. The spectators already got to see a great game in the first half of the season. Antony Modeste (7′, 86′) gave Cologne an early lead and, after the Eisern had turned the game around in the meantime, equalised late on for the Cathedral City side to make the final score 2:2. Find out who we see in front on Friday and what other predictions we have for this exciting encounter in our Union vs Cologne betting tips.
Union vs Cologne Info
– Date & Time: 01.04.2022, at 20:30 hrs.
– Venue: Berlin, Stadion An der Alten Försterei
– Competition: Bundesliga, 28th matchday
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Union Form & Balance Check
With a 0:4 in Munich, the Köpenicker said goodbye to the international break a fortnight ago. It was already the second clear defeat of the season against the Bundesliga leaders after the 2:5 in the first leg. The second meeting between the Berliners and FC Bayern, however, was not the same as the one in the first half of the season. Since the winter departure of Max Kruse, Union have lost five of seven league games and only remained unbeaten in the two home games against Mainz 05 (3:1) and VFB Stuttgart (1:1) during this period.
European Cup within reach
Despite the negative trend of just four points from the last seven games, the Köpenickers still have every chance of qualifying for a European Cup again this season. Union will face RB Leipzig in the DFB Cup semi-final on 20 April. Should it not be enough for the first DFB Cup triumph (qualifying for the Europa League), it looks as if seventh place in the Bundesliga will qualify for the UEFA Conference League. Union is currently two points behind this seventh place (1. FC Köln with 40 points). With a win in the direct duel, the Köpenickers would overtake Cologne. The Berliners are seven points behind the fourth-placed Leipzig side (45 points).
Union facts & analysis
– won only 1 of last 7 league games (1 draw & 5 defeats).
– scored in only 2 of last 7 league matches
– conceded at least 1 goal in all 12 competitive matches in 2022
Cologne form & balance check
Cologne’s current form curve, unlike Köpenick’s, is clearly pointing upwards. Of their last five games, the Geißböcke have only lost against the strong TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (0:1). Against Eintracht Frankfurt (1:0) and Bayer Leverkusen (1:0), the Geißböcke recorded victories during this period. They drew 1-1 with Greuther Fürth and Borussia Dortmund. The Cologne team’s minimalist approach has been particularly noticeable in recent weeks. While they were previously known for high-scoring games, none of their last five matches have seen more than two goals scored.
Hector more important for Cologne than Kruse for Union
Even more important than Max Kruse was for Union Berlin is Jonas Hector for 1. FC Köln. Without their captain, the Rhinelanders have not yet won this season (2 draws & 2 defeats). Among other things, Hector was absent during the 0:5 in the first leg at Hoffenheim, Cologne’s highest defeat of the season. In Berlin, the 31-year-old, who was recently absent with a Corona infection, is back in the starting line-up.
Cologne facts & analysis
– Won 3 of last 7 league games (2 draws & 2 defeats).
– Scored maximum 1 goal in 7 league games in a row
– conceded only 3 goals in last 5 league matches
Predicted line-up – last updated 29 Mar 2022
Against Borussia Dortmund, 1. FC Köln had to do without three important key players at the same time, captain Jonas Hector (Corona virus), Florian Kainz (Corona virus) and Ellyes Skhiri. All three are expected back in the starting eleven against Union. On the other hand, right-back Benno Schmitz (thigh injury) and midfielder Ondrej Duda (yellow suspension) will not be involved. Their places are likely to be taken by Kingsley Ehizibue and Ellyes Skhiri.
The captain is also expected back on the Eisernen side. Christopher Trimmel was also absent recently with a Corona virus infection. Overall, the Berliners have survived the international break injury-free and can draw from a full complement ahead of the match against Cologne.
Union – Cologne direct comparison & Statistics
The overall record between Union Berlin and 1. FC Köln is relatively even. In 13 encounters, the Cathedral City side have won five times and the Köpenicker six times. Two encounters ended in a draw. However, the balance of the last few years is clearly in favour of the Eisernen from Berlin. They have been unbeaten against Cologne for seven games, five of which they have won. In the 2-2 draw in the first leg, they also led for a long time and only conceded the equaliser late on through Antony Modeste (86′).
– Union Berlin are unbeaten against Cologne for seven games (5 wins & 2 draws).
– Union Berlin have won all of their last three home games against Cologne
– Union Berlin have scored exactly two goals against the Geißböcke six times in a row
– 1. FC Köln last won against Union Berlin in 2014 (2:1)
