Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Bundesliga clash between Union Berlin and VfL Bochum, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Both aiming to take a big step towards high-level security, Union Berlin And VFL Bochum will face each other at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei on Sunday afternoon in the Bundesliga.
Die Eisernen ended a worrying losing streak by sharing the spoils with Borussia Mönchengladbach last time out, while Die Unabsteigbaren prevailed in a five-goal thriller with Hoffenheim.
Match Preview
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Since returning from the first international break of 2024 at the end of March, Union Berlin have endured a worrying run of five games without a win in the Bundesliga, meaning their place at the top of German football is under serious threat as they approach the three last matches of the Bundesliga. the season.
That being said, Die Eisernen managed to end a three-game losing streak last Sunday when they traveled to Borussia Mönchengladbach, with both Moritz Nicolas And Frederik Ronnow keeping clean sheets in the competition as the two teams ended in a goalless draw.
After their trip at the start of the season against Real Madrid, 14 times European champion, in the Champions League, Nenad BjelicaGermany’s troops are now faced with the cold reality of a fight for survival in the Bundesliga, with the capital club still having plenty of work to do to extend their stay in the top flight to a sixth campaign.
Heading into the final three matches of the championship, Die Eisernen currently occupies 14th position in the Bundesliga standings, two points ahead of Mainz 05 who occupy the relegation play-off spot.
Union will be delighted to have two of their remaining three matches at their Berlin base, with Bjelica’s side claiming six of their eight Bundesliga victories in front of their home fans this season.
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After an eight-match winless streak in the Bundesliga dating back to the end of February, Bochum gave a huge boost to their hopes of avoiding relegation to Bundesliga 2 last Friday by beating Hoffenheim 3-2 at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in front of a crowd of 24 000 people.
Die Unabsteigbaren took a three-goal lead into the evening after just 64 minutes thanks to Kevin Stogerthe double and a second mandate for the right back Felix Passlackand although a double in the second half of Andrej Kramaric made things interesting in the closing stages, the hosts held on valiantly for three points.
The victory against Hoffenheim last time was Heiko Boucheris the first in charge of Bochum since taking charge of first-team affairs last month, with the 43-year-old tasked with steering the club away from a return to Bundesliga 2 for the first time since his title-winning 2020-21 campaign.
Having lost just three matches at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in the Bundesliga this season, it is no surprise that Die Unabsteigbaren’s away form is the main reason for their serious struggles at the bottom of the division, with Sunday’s visitors not having collected only seven points on the road so far. , less than any of their high-profile counterparts.
Due to an inferior goal difference to Union Berlin, Bochum sits just below this weekend’s hosts in 15th place, with a win potentially enough for either team to seal their place in the Bundesliga for the next campaign.
Form of the Union Berlin Bundesliga:
VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:
Team News
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Union Berlin remains deprived of the services of its left back Jerome Roussillonwho injured his calf at the end of March and has not played since.
In the absence of the Frenchman, Robin Gosens is very likely to retain his place on the left side of Die Eisernen’s back five on Sunday afternoon.
Central defender Kevin Vogt had a groin problem in the last match against Mönchengladbach, meaning that Diogo Leite And Danilho Doekhi a new defensive partner will be needed.
After receiving his 10th yellow card of the season in the Bundesliga against Hoffenheim, Anthony Losilla will not be available for Bochum on their trips this weekend.
Die Unabsteigbaren have few options in their goalkeeping department, with both Michael Esser and 25 years old Nicolas Thiede currently on the sidelines.
Possible starting lineup for Union Berlin:
Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Leite; Juranovic, Khedira, Tousart, Gosens; Aaronson; Volland, Kaufmann
Possible starting lineup of VfL Bochum:
Riemann; Passlack, Ordets, Schlotterbeck, Bernardo; Bero, Elezi, Stoger, Wittek; Broschinski, Hofmann
We say: Union Berlin 2-1 VfL Bochum
Despite their struggles in recent matches, Bochum’s visit on Sunday represents a huge opportunity for Union Berlin to move closer to Bundesliga survival.
The Unabsteigbaren are notoriously poor on their trips, which is why we can’t imagine that Butscher’s men will be able to gain anything from a trip to the capital this weekend.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
