Union Berlin – VfL Wolfsburg
On Saturday, the Bundesliga conference once again has five games in store for us. Two teams that are not necessarily in top form at the moment will meet at the Alte Försterei. Find out who will secure three important points in the east of the capital in our Union – Wolfsburg betting tip.
Die Eisernen come into the game with a hard-fought point in the catch-up match against Mainz during the week. However, the Köpenickers remain 15th in the table and are just three points ahead of the Effzeh one place below them.
Wolfsburg, on the other hand, are not in acute danger of relegation, but are still in anything but good form. The Wolves are still waiting for their first win of the new year and have only won two of their last 14 games. The Wolves are only 11th in the table
Union – Wolfsburg Info
- Date & Time: 10.02.2024, 3:30 pm
- Playing venue: Alte Försterei, Berlin
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 21
Union Form & Balance Check
The FCU continues to play a season that only the biggest pessimists would have expected before this season. The period between matchday 3 and 11 in particular will still send shivers down the spines of Union fans. After what should have been a perfect start to the season, Union Berlin lost nine league games in a row. After this negative spiral, even long-time coach Urs Fischer had to resign.
Under his successor Nenad Bjelica, however, things went a little better, even if the Croatian was only in the stands for the last three games due to suspension. Since the 52-year-old took over, however, the Ironmen have only conceded three defeats and picked up twelve points in eight games. As a result, Köpenick remain in 15th place in the table
Bone against former club
One of the Iron’s most important defenders, Robin Knoche, spent an impressive 15 years at VfL Wolfsburg from 2005 to 2020. He then made the move to Union, who had just completed their first season in the Bundesliga. At 1. FC Union Berlin, he immediately established himself as an indispensable pillar of the team.
Nevertheless, the upcoming opponent will hold a very special place in the defender’s heart. Knoche progressed from ball boy to professional in the Autostadt and made 183 Bundesliga appearances, scoring twelve goals. The now 31-year-old also secured the 2011 A-Youth Championship with the Wolves in the final against Hansa Rostock and the DFB Cup victory in 2015, when the Wolves defeated BVB
Union facts & analysis
- In 15th place in the Bundesliga
- Third weakest offense in the league
- Not lost their last four home games
Wolfsburg Form & Balance Check
The Wolves pursued the goal of qualifying for the Conference League last season right up to the final matchday and are aiming for a return to European business this season. However, the club from Lower Saxony have so far failed to find any stability in their performances and therefore remain in 11th place in the table.
Furthermore, the visitors have been waiting for a coveted win for five games now. VfL Wolfsburg recently started the new year with three consecutive 1-1 draws. They then drew 2-2 against TSG Hoffenheim last Sunday and coach Niko Kovač will now be hoping for another three points at the Alte Försterei.
Behrens returns
In Union’s previous home game on January 28, Kevin Behrens played the full 90 minutes in a Union shirt. Despite his tireless efforts in front of goal in the 1-0 win over Darmstadt, the attacker was unlucky. In that game, he achieved an impressive xG value of 1.89, but was unable to score.
Now the 30-year-old will return to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in a VfL shirt on Saturday. He did not score in his first game for the Wolves last week either, but did set up his first goal of the Bundesliga season. However, his last goal of the season came 19 games ago
Wolfsburg facts & analysis
- In eleventh place in the Bundesliga
- Without a win in five games
- Only five teams have scored fewer goals in the league
We expect Union to play a 3-5-2 again on Saturday. Captain Christian Trimmel will be suspended after his red card against Leipzig. Kevin Vogt is also suspended for the weekend.
We expect the visitors from the Autostadt to play a 4-4-2 again. Ex-Union player Kevin Behrens could come off the bench. We expect two-goal scorer Lovro Majer back in the starting line-up on Saturday
Union – Wolfsburg head-to-head & stats
The Wolves have won half of the twelve head-to-head meetings against Union so far. FCU, on the other hand, have only beaten Wolfsburg three times. VfL also won the first leg 2:1. However, the last time Lower Saxony won at the Alte Försterei was on 07.06.1992.
Direct comparison (H2H)
