MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 17:10:49| >> :600:208013:208013:
[monks data]
Wolfsburg
Bundesliga | Gameweek 32
May 8, 2021 at 2.30pm UK
 
Union Berlin logo

Wolfsburg
3 - 0
Union Berlin

Brekalo (12', 63', 90')
Mbabu (31')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Wolfsburg vs. Union Berlin - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Wolfsburg and Union Berlin, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Wolfsburg take on Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the hosts looking to remain in the Champions League qualification positions.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, still have a chance of competing in Europe themselves next season.


Match preview

Wolfsburg's Wout Weghorst celebrates scoring their second goal on January 9, 2021© Reuters

This time last month, Wolfsburg looked all but assured of competing in the Champions League next season for the first time since reaching the quarter-final in the 2015-16 campaign, but three defeats in their last four matches has seen fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt and fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund move one point and two points behind them respectively.

The Wolves' 2-0 defeat at home to Dortmund last time out was a particularly bitter blow, especially as BVB were reduced to ten men after Jude Bellingham's 60th-minute dismissal.

However, two superb strikes from Erling Braut Haaland either side of half time proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Oliver Glasner's men unusually lacking penetration. Indeed, despite having 21 shots across the match, Dortmund goalkeeper Marwin Hitz was only tested on two occasions.

Wolfsburg remain in the driving seat for a top-four place, but with tricky fixtures against in-form sides RB Leipzig and Mainz 05 to wrap up their season, they could really use a victory on Saturday to calm any nerves and strengthen their position in the table.

Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer reacts in February 2021© Reuters

Union Berlin will certainly be no pushovers, however, with only the top four teams in the division having lost fewer matches than Urs Fischer's side this season.

They have European football of their own to fight for, too, given that they sit level on points with seventh-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.

Whoever occupies that position at the end of the season is likely to qualify for next season's inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, although Bayer Leverkusen are only four points ahead of both sides in the second Europa League qualification spot.

Given that this is still only Union Berlin's second ever season in Germany's top flight, a European finish would be a remarkable achievement by Fischer and his players, although it would almost certainly necessitate adding greater squad depth for next season.

Based on their performance last time out against Werder Bremen, they would be good value for it, too, with Joel Pohjanpalo's clinical second-half hat-trick sealing a 3-1 victory. If Fischer's side can be as ruthless in both boxes as they have been for most of the season, there is every chance that they can upset the Wolves on Saturday.

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W



Team News

Wolfsburg's Renato Steffen celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates against Union Berlin on January 9, 2021© Reuters

Renato Steffen, who opened the scoring in a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture, is unlikely to recover from his ligament injury in time to feature, but will be hoping to play another part in Wolfsburg's season yet.

Marin Pongracic is facing a race against time to play again this season due to his leg injury, while Bartosz Bialek suffered an ACL injury in training last week and as such could be out for the rest of the calendar year.

Glasner could be tempted to restore winger Josip Brekalo to his starting XI in order to retain more natural width, with Maximilian Philipp or Yannick Gerhardt potentially dropping out of the side as a result.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, were dealt a blow themselves after Cedric Teuchert was stretchered off due to a knee injury during the win against Bremen. The forward will miss the rest of the season.

Max Kruse, Leon Dajaku, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sheraldo Becker and Anthony Ujah are all doubts for the trip to Wolfsburg, too, leaving Fischer short of attacking options.

Petar Musa will be on standby should Kruse miss out with a minor muscle issue, but Union Berlin's top goalscorer is likely to play through any pain for the cause.

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Mbabu, Lacroix, Brooks, Otavio; Schlager, Arnold; Baku, Gerhardt, Brekalo; Weghorst

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Luthe; Friedrich, Knoche, Schlotterbeck; Trimmel, Promel, Andrich, Ingvartsen, Lenz; Kruse, Pohjanpalo


SM words green background

We say: Wolfsburg 2-1 Union Berlin

We can envisage a narrow victory for the Wolves against a Union Berlin side which has proved tough to beat this season.

Glasner will be hoping Kruse does miss out with injury, as the visitors often lack creativity without their attacking talisman.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



ID:446208:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9775:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Wolfsburg win with a probability of 55.05%. A draw had a probability of 23% and a win for Union Berlin had a probability of 21.95%.

The most likely scoreline for a Wolfsburg win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.27%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.85%) and 2-0 (9.31%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.86%), while for a Union Berlin win it was 0-1 (6%). The actual scoreline of 3-0 was predicted with a 5.6% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Wolfsburg would win this match.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Wolfsburg vs Union Berlin

Wolfsburg
82.5%
Draw
12.5%
Union Berlin
5.0%
40
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick pictured on April 10, 2021
Read Next:
Saturday's Bundesliga predictions including Mainz vs. Bayern Munich
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern119203672929
2Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1172227161123
3RB Leipzig11632189921
4Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen115512618820
5Borussia DortmundDortmund116142218419
6Freiburg115241315-217
7Mainz 05Mainz114431814416
8Stuttgart114432119216
9Union BerlinUnion Berlin1144399016
10Wolfsburg114342018215
11Werder Bremen114341722-515
12Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach104241514114
13Hoffenheim113351722-512
14Augsburg113351323-1012
15Heidenheim113171520-510
16St Pauli10226712-58
17Holstein Kiel111281228-165
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum110291032-222


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!