The Matchday Preview

A North-German affair on Saturday night, & a superb Sunday with three key fixtures awaits us on the penultimate Bundesliga matchday before the winter break!

A North German affair on Saturday night, & a superb Sunday with three key fixtures awaits us on the penultimate Bundesliga matchday before the winter break!

Union Berlin v VfL Bochum

Union Berlin’s winless streak extended to seven matches after they suffered a 3-2 defeat at Stuttgart last matchday. The result was deeply disappointing, but the way it unfolded will likely leave many at the club scratching their heads.

Union were in complete control, taking a 2-0 lead by the 48th minute and generally limiting Stuttgart to few dangerous chances. However, a second-half resurgence from the home side saw Union concede three goals between the 51st and 69th minutes, leaving the East-Berlin outfit with nothing to show for their efforts.

The third goal was especially symptomatic of Union's current struggles, as the usually-reliable goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow's poor pass in the build-up phase directly gifted Stuttgart a third. With just one point since the start of November, Union is in desperate need of a win, and three points will be essential when they face a deeply troubled Bochum side this weekend.

Bochum’s situation is even more dire: after being knocked out of the Pokal by second-tier Jahn Regensburg in early August, they have managed just two points from their first 13 Bundesliga fixtures, marking a historically poor start to the campaign. Manager Dieter Hecking once again praised his team’s effort and commitment, but in a fiercely competitive Bundesliga, that alone won’t be enough to secure points.

However, amidst an otherwise bleak season, there was one bright spot for Bochum on Saturday as Bernardo returned to the starting lineup after a lengthy knee injury. The versatile Brazilian defender was key to Bochum’s great escape last season, and his return should offer a glimmer of hope for fans and teammates alike.

Prediction: Union Berlin Win

FC Augsburg v Bayer Leverkusen

FC Augsburg’s push for Bundesliga survival is firmly on track after 13 matchdays, with die Fuggerstädter amassing 16 points in this opening stretch of the season. While this tally is one point shy of their total at the same stage last year, the crucial six-point cushion they hold above the relegation zone has alleviated much of the anxiety that followed their sluggish start to the campaign.

A key factor in Augsburg’s recent resurgence has been the outstanding form of Phillip Tietz. The 27-year-old striker has found the net in back-to-back Bundesliga games for only the second time in his career. His stellar partnership with Samuel Essende proved decisive in snapping Eintracht Frankfurt’s four-match winning streak last weekend, with both forwards finding their way onto the scoresheet.