FC Cologne vs Union Berlin Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is FC Cologne vs Union Berlin on and what time does it start? FC Cologne vs Union Berlin will take place on Saturday 11th May, 2024 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for FC Cologne vs Union Berlin? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is FC Cologne vs Union Berlin on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for FC Cologne vs Union Berlin
Where can I stream FC Cologne vs Union Berlin in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, FC Cologne vs Union Berlin can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
WIN OR BUST FOR FC COLOGNE
FC Cologne may not be able to escape the bottom three, but they can still avoid relegation. To do that, they must finish in 16th-place and contest the relegation play-off, but as it stands, they are still a mammoth five points adrift of Mainz, who occupy that spot right now and anything less than a win against Union would see them relegated.
Whilst FC Cologne have shown a real fighting spirit over their past couple of games, drawing 1-1 away at Mainz before holding Freiburg to a goalless drop, it’s wins that they now need from their final two fixtures to save themselves and even that might not be enough.
UNION PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON IN BID TO AVOID THE DROP
With Union Berlin having failed to win in their last six matches, picking up just two points in the process and last weekend falling to a catastrophic 3-4 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Bochum, their hierarchy have resorted to desperate measures to safe themselves.
Head coach Nenad Bjelica, only appointed back in November 2023 has parted ways with the club and been replaced by Marco Grote in an interim capacity. Grote’s task is simple, keep Union out of the bottom three, with them now only one point above 16th-placed Mainz with two games left.
THE TEAM NEWS
FC COLOGNE
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Schmitz, Hubers, Chabot, Finkgrafe; Martel, Huseinbasic; Thielmann, Waldschmidt, Maina; Tigges
UNAVAILABLE: Ljubicic (Illness), Kilian (Injured), Paqarada (Illness), Selke (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Uth (Illness)
UNION BERLIN
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Ronnow; Doekhi, Vogt, Leite; Trimmel, Tousart, Khedira, Schafer, Gosens; Volland, Hollerbach
UNAVAILABLE: Busk (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Three points for either of these two clubs would be truly seismic in the battle to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga, whilst a draw suits neither. That would relegate the hosts and potentially see Union drop into the bottom three. Therefore, expect both to deploy ultra-attacking styles of play and really go for it from an attacking point of view, giving themselves the best chance of victory. Therefore, back over 3.5 goals to be scored in what should be a captivating affair.
TIP: OVER 3.5 GOALS
