Union Berlin vs St. Pauli Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 German Bundesliga
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After picking up their first point of the season on the road at Mainz, Union Berlin now look to back that up on their own ground with victory over newly promoted 2. Bundesliga champions St. Pauli, who were beaten on the opening weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday August 30th 2024 – UK – 7:30pm / US ET – 2:30pm / US PT – 11:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
UNION BERLIN PREVIEW: SOLID START TO SVENSSON LIFE AT UNION
In his first Bundesliga fixture in charge of Union Berlin, Bo Svensson will have been happy to see Union Berlin show a fighting spirit that so often deserted them last season, coming from behind to grab a draw against Mainz. Laszlo Benes came off the bench to score the equaliser with 16 minutes of normal time to play.
Back at home for the first time, Union Berlin will see this as a huge opportunity to get three points against a newly promoted side without a point so far. Home form was key to their incredible 2022-23 campaign and it will need to be again if Union are to succeed under Svensson.
ST. PAULI PREVIEW: SECOND TIER CHAMPIONS RUE WASTEFULNESS
St. Pauli were taught a harsh lesson regarding life in the top tier of German football in their first match back in the Bundesliga. Despite boasting 62% of possession and recording 11 shots compared to Heidenheim’s five, St. Pauli could not convert and paid the price, losing 0-2 following a couple of second-half goals from Heidenheim.
Whilst Alexander Blessin’s opening Bundesliga game as head coach of St. Pauli ended in defeat, he can at least take the positives from his side’s performance. They just need to turn their chances into goals away at a side who struggled desperately for clean sheets last season.
UNION BERLIN TEAM NEWS: CAPTAIN TRIMMEL TO START AGAIN IN JURANOVIC’S ABSENCE WITH VOLLAND ALSO OUT
Both Josip Juranovic and Kevin Volland will miss this match with injuries for Union Berlin, who may well reward midfielder Laszlo Benes with a start after that goal last weekend. Should that be the case, Hungarian Andras Schafer could be a candidate to drop out.
PREDICTED XI: (3-4-3): Ronnow; Leite, Vogt, Doekhi; Trimmel, Benes, Khedira, Gosens; Tousart, Siebatcheu, Hollerbach
UNAVAILABLE: Juranovic (Injured), Volland (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ST. PAULI TEAM NEWS: AHLERS, BURCHERT AND ZOLLER OUT FOR VISITORS
Attackers Elias Saad and Dapo Afolayan are both pushing for inclusion here, but Blessin may well keep faith in the frontline who drew a blank last time out, banking on the likes of Eggestein and Guilavogui to find their scoring boots on this occasion.
PREDICTED XI: (3-5-2): Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Mets; Treu, Wagner, Irvine, Metcalfe, Ritzka; Eggestein, Guilavogui
UNAVAILABLE: Ahlers (Injured), Burchert (Injured), Zoller (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
UNION BERLIN VS ST. PAULI PREDICTION
Although you would normally fear for a newly promoted side losing their first match at home and now having to travel away, St. Pauli will have reason for optimism. They had opportunities and carved out openings, now it’s about being ruthless. Expect them to be afforded more chances, especially as Union Berlin push bodies forward with the onus on them to take the game to their opponents at home.
Having said that, Union will surely prove a substantial threat themselves going forward, Svensson is a shrewd operator and they’ll know the St. Pauli backline is vulnerable as they continue to adapt to the step up in quality. Regardless of which way this one goes, backing both teams to score is move well worth making.
UNION BERLIN VS ST. PAULI TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
