Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen: Betting Odds & Prediction
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League leaders Bayer Leverkusen travel to Union Berlin on Saturday as the away side move a step closer to their first Bundesliga title.
Leverkusen come into the game 13 points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich, while Union Berlin sit in twelfth. Kick-off is set for 2:30pm UK time at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Recent Form
Union Berlin
Nenad Bjelica's side have their home form to thank for keeping them out of a relegation battle this term. Union Berlin have averaged 1.54 points per game on home turf compared to a dismal 0.64 on their travels, where they've recorded just two wins so far.
Union also have three wins in their last five home outings, the most recent ending in a 3-1 win over FC Magdeburg on 21st March. Union have since played out a 0-0 draw away at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bjelica's men have struggled with scoring goals overall this season, but they've faired much better in front of their home fans; an average of 1.23 goals per game at home is a considerable improvement on their 0.64 on away soil. They've failed to find the net at all in 38% of home games, though.
They've also performed better defensively at home, averaging 1.46 goals conceded compared to 1.64 in away fixtures. Only 23% of these games have resulted in a clean sheet however, and Union have conceded at least two in 46%.
Bayer Leverkusen
The success of Xabi Alonso's side has been well-documented this season. Leverkusen are still yet to taste defeat in all competitions this season and have won 23 of their 27 Bundesliga matches. Their last outing saw them earn a 2-1 home victory over Hoffenheim.
All but two of Leverkusen's 13 away matches have ended in victory for the travelling side, leaving them with an impressive average of 2.69 points taken per match. They've also amassed 30 goals scored on the road so far, with seven coming in their last three. Their 3-2 win at Freiburg also saw them continue their trend of scoring in every single away match. 85% of away fixtures have seen at least two Leverkusen goals, while 46% have seen three or more.
Alonso's men have shipped three goals in their three most recent away games, with a total of just eleven goals conceded on the road all season. 46% have ended in a Leverkusen clean sheet.
Prediction
Leverkusen predictably enter as firm favourites but there's little value in backing the away victory on the moneyline. Alonso's men have however averaged 2.31 goals scored on their travels this season, with an average of 3.15 goals in total in away fixtures. Coupled with Union's defensive troubles, it's hard to see anything other than more goalscoring action this weekend.
Leverkusen will be on a high and know their first ever Bundesliga title is well within their grasp. A win here could see them move sixteen clear at the top, depending on Bayern Munich's result away at Heidenheim on the same day.