The top match of the 19th match day in the 2nd Bundesliga will take place on Thursday evening in the capital. The hope of many teams from the upper third of the table rests on Union Berlin, who could make the race for the coveted promotion places far closer with a home win against 1. FC Cologne. If the “Iron” win namely, they would zoom up to two counters to the Rhinelander and also ensure that even teams like Kiel, Heidenheim or Paderborn are likely to make hopes for one of the first two places. Between Union Berlin and Cologne, however, the quotas imply a rather clear favorite role in favor of second in the table, which is entirely justifiable.
Today’s Football Prediction Union Berlin vs. Cologne
The Cologne won so far not only six of their eight away games, but are in terms of quality probably superior to all other second division. The dominance of the “Effzeh” over long stretches of the season is evident, among other things, from the outstanding goal difference of +25. Union, however, is only three successes from the past ten second division games and also conceded on the final day before the winter break, the very first defeat. The nimbus of unbeatability is therefore no longer available, so that in the encounter Union Berlin vs. Cologne offers a tip on the guests with more lucrative odds than alternative bets.
Union Berlin – Statistics & Current Form
18 consecutive games Union Berlin unbeaten in the second division. Even in the second round of the DFB Cup, the captains fought at the Bundesliga leaders in Dortmund a draw after regular time and only left unhappy after extra time. But on the 19th matchday it was time. The team of coach Urs Fischer got the day before Christmas Eve at Erzgebirge Aue showed the limits and left with a 0-3 clap the field. This bankruptcy was only the low point of an overall average second half of the first half, because despite the fact that the “Iron” often found a way to avoid defeat, the success experiences in the form of three-pointers were largely absent. Of the past ten matches Union celebrated only three victories, but had to settle for it in six cases with a draw. Several times the Red-Whites in the classification had the chance to build up a small lead over the pursuers, but ultimately overwhelmed the Köpenicker only in fourth place. With a home win Sebastian Polter and Co. could pass by FC St. Pauli and reduce the gap to 1. FC Köln on two counters, but this promising starting position is not enough to play in the match Union Berlin vs.. Cologne to give a reliable prognosis on a potential home success.
That between Union Berlin and Cologne the odds prophesy a bottom line quite exciting matter, should primarily be due to the strong home record of the Fischer-Elf. From the nine encounters at the old forestry Union took 21 out of a possible 27 points. Six wins are therefore faced with three division of points. In the recent past, however, there was not much to catch against Cologne, as only one of the youngest seven direct duels in the second division could win the “Ironies”.
Another argument to the Union Berlin vs.. Cologne tip rather in favor of the guests interpret, is the fact that with the first season defeat a spell was broken. Not only that all teams have now seen that it is possible to bring the capital club to its knees; Even in the minds of their own players, the bursting of the dream bubble of an almost perfect season should have caused some losses in self-confidence. The preparation went well, although only one of the last four Test matches was victorious. Against the third division Unterhaching lost the Berlin even. The stakes of Joshua Mees and newcomer Nicolai Rapp are questionable. On the best defensive of the 2nd league, which conceded only five goals at home, the Swiss coach will probably make no personnel changes.
Expected formation of Union Berlin:
Gikiewicz – Trimmel, Friedrich, Hübner, Reichel – Schmiedebach, Prömel, Zulj – Gogia, Polter, Hartel – Trainer: Fischer
Last matches of Union Berlin:
- 26.01.2019 – Union Berlin vs. FC Basel 2: 2 (friendly)
- 18.01.2019 – Lausanne Vs. Union Berlin 0: 0 (friendly)
- 18.01.2019 – Union Berlin vs. Unterhaching 1: 2 (friendly)
- 13.01.2019 – Union Berlin vs. Shenzhen 2: 0 (Friendly Match)
- 23.12.2018 – Aue Vs. Union Berlin 3: 0 (2nd Bundesliga)
Cologne – Statistics & Current Form
Usually we are not fanatical about using quality as an argument when it comes to justifying bets on a favorite. There is definitely a difference between owning an individual class or putting it into profit, combined with the collective. Nevertheless, there are no two opinions that the Europa League starter from the previous year – measured by the strength of the game – must be traded as a top favorite on promotion to the Bundesliga. To underpin their own ambitions, two ex-Bundesliga players were signed in the summer with Florian Kainz (Werder Bremen) and Johannes Geis (Schalke 04), who further strengthened the squad both in width and in the top. Sporting director Armin Veh and his coach Markus Anfang do not want to leave anything to chance and also minimize the risk of isolated dropouts.
For long stretches of the first half series the “Effzeh” was the most consistent team in the second division. Before surprise slips but also the second division star ensemble was not immune. Time and time again the goats went swimming in front of their home crowd – for example against Paderborn, Duisburg or on the last matchday before Christmas against Bochum. In the foreign, however, presented the beginning eleven more constant. In eight away games, the Rhinelander celebrated six victories (a draw, a defeat) and thus represent the second best away team of the second division behind the HSV, but has completed a match on the opponent’s place more. The 19 goals scored in just eight games and only seven goals in the distance are a clear indication of why on Thursday evening between Union Berlin and Cologne again could pay off a prediction towards the promotion candidate from the Rhine. Marco Höger, Matthias Lehmann, Louis Schaub and Vincent Koziello are injured due to injury. National player Jonas Hector has to serve a yellow card suspension. If a team in the lower house can compensate for such failures, then the Cologne, which certainly put on a Simon Terodde, who incidentally has a Union past, in top form.
Expected formation of Cologne:
Horn – Czichos, Mere, Schmitz – Cracks, Geis, J. Horn, Drexler (?), Kainz – Terodde, Cordoba – Coach: Beginning
Last matches of Cologne:
- 23.01.2019 – Cologne vs. Germany Bochum 2: 1 (friendly)
- 16.01.2019 – Mallorca vs. Spain Cologne 1: 0 (friendly)
- 08.01.2019 – Cologne vs. Germany FC Groningen 3: 1 (friendly)
- 21.12.2018 – Cologne vs. Germany Bochum 2: 3 (2nd Bundesliga)
Union Berlin vs. Cologne Direct Comparison & Statistics Highlights
So far, there have been seven competitive matches between Union Berlin and 1. FC Köln, all in the second division. The Rhinelander could win five of these seven matches, while the Iron was only one success. The only draw came on Matchday 2 of the current season, when the “Effzeh” 1-0 went into the lead, but in the end had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Union Berlin v Köln Our Football Prediction
1. FC Cologne remains in our eyes the hottest contender for the return to the Bundesliga. Footballerisch the Rhinelanders are certainly even better estimate than the Hamburger SV. Even in terms of quality, there is no team in the lower house under normal circumstances, which can provide the “Effzeh” the water. It seemed in the first half of the season almost as if the team coached by Markus start especially in top form when the first critical voices appear. To stifle these in the bud, an away win in the capital on Thursday evening would be of particular importance. Because in the game Union Berlin against Cologne odds of up to 2.50 are offered for an away win, it would be unwise in our opinion, these quotations, which will probably give this last time in this height in the current season, not to exploit.
Key facts – Union Berlin vs. Cologne tips
Union Berlin unbeaten at home (six wins, three draws)
Cologne won six of the eight away games (a draw, a bankruptcy)
Five of the previous seven direct duels went to the “Effzeh”
Although Union Berlin is the best home team in the league and conceded in front of home crowd only five goals and yet the challenge of being the first team at the Alte Försterei as a winner to leave the field, the initial eleven additional motivate. The Billy Goats won six of their eight away games and celebrated five wins on the last six match days, always with at least two goals difference. The quality and experience is the trump card for the Rhinelanders, whom we trust to win. For the meeting Union Berlin vs.. Cologne we keep the tip on the 3-way away win for the most lucrative opportunity to earn a nice profit.
Prediction Today: 2
Odds: 2.50
