Soccer Germany Bundesliga Prediction

Hoffenheim vs Union Berlin - Match Preview

⚽ 20 May 2023 - 13:30 GMT +0

Ahead of their home finale in a disappointing 2022/23 Bundesliga season, Hoffenheim are still not completely clear of relegation trouble, following a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg in the previous round. That made it just one win in five for Die Kraichgauer, but even a point could be enough to see them practically secure safely depending on results elsewhere.

To do their part, Hoffenheim have to avoid the pitfalls that saw them squander a half-time lead in January’s reverse fixture (L 3-1). However, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s men boast a return of three wins (L1) from their last four home matches – and there is a curious pattern at play, with those wins seeing Hoffenheim score inside the first half-hour before going 2-0 up via a penalty!

As for Union Berlin, they could seal a fairytale UEFA Champions League spot just four years after making their Bundesliga debut. In the previous round, they ran out 4-2 victors over Freiburg in a crucial showdown for a top-four finish, and another win is all the Iron Ones need in reality to finally seal one, given their superior goal difference to the Breisgau side.

Union also boast the league’s joint-best defence ahead of this round, and could well frustrate even an opposition side that has fired a blank just once following the March international break. That said, Urs Fischer’s men have consistently failed to net before the 60th minute in their most recent away games in any competition (W2, D2, L5), meaning that the patience of visiting fans may well be tested once again.

📋 Players to watch: Christoph Baumgartner opened the scoring in Hoffenheim’s last home game, though it was his sixth goal this term (of seven) to come during a match seeing both teams score. Any response to a goal for the Austrian might come from Sheraldo Becker, who hit a three-minute brace against Freiburg and still accounts for Union’s latest away win (1-0 vs B. M’Gladbach, April 23).

⚡ Hot stat: A majority (four) of the seven prior H2Hs have seen a level half-time scoreline.