The Matchday 1 fixture of the Bundesliga between Union Berlin and Stuttgart will take place on August 23 at the An der Alten Försterei Stadium in Berlin. Union Berlin vs. Stuttgart: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Union Berlin
Last season, the team finished 13th, amassing 40 points. Union Berlin avoided a relegation battle in the top German division thanks to a strong finish, suffering only one defeat in their last ten matches (4 wins, 5 draws). Consequently, the club will compete in its seventh consecutive Bundesliga season. Notably, in the previous season, the Berliners scored just 35 goals, surpassing only Bochum (33) and St. Pauli (28) in this regard. Over the summer, Union Berlin played eight friendly matches, suffering four defeats (3 wins, 1 draw).
During the off-season, the squad was reinforced by defender Derrick Köhn and forwards Ilyas Ansah and Oliver Burke. Among significant losses, defender Benedikt Hollerbach departed the club.
- The team has not won in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Bundesliga (4 draws, 3 losses).
- The club has failed to score more than one goal in 6 of their last 8 home games in the league.
- The Swabians have conceded in 6 of their last 7 home Bundesliga fixtures.
Predicted lineup for Union Berlin (3-5-2)
Frederik Rønnow – Danilho Doekhi, Leopold Querfeld, Tom Rothe – Christopher Trimmel, Andras Schäfer, Rani Khedira, Janik Haberer, Robert Skov – Ilyas Ansah, Andrei Ilić.
Stuttgart
Last season, the team collected 50 points and finished only ninth. This marks a significant regression compared to the previous season when the Swabians finished second. However, Stuttgart was one of only two clubs to win their last three matches of the previous Bundesliga campaign. Additionally, the team performed well on the road, earning 27 away points last season, ranking fourth in this category. During the off-season, Stuttgart played four friendly matches, winning three and losing once. The team also competed in the German Super Cup, losing to Bayern Munich (1-2).
In the summer transfer window, defender Lorenz Assignon and forwards Tiago Tomás and Lazar Jovanović joined the club. Meanwhile, midfielder Enzo Millot left the team.
- The club has not won in 5 of their last 6 encounters at Union Berlin's ground in the Bundesliga (3 draws, 2 losses).
- The team has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 6 of their last 9 away league matches.
- The Swabians scored in the first half in 5 of their last 7 away Bundesliga games.
Predicted lineup for Stuttgart (4-5-1)
Alexander Nübel – Maximilian Mittelstädt, Jeff Chabot, Luca Mack, Josha Vagnoman – Chris Führich, Angelo Stiller, Nick Woltemade, Atakan Karazor, Jamie Leweling – Deniz Undav.
Forward Silas Mvumpa will miss the match due to injury.
Referee
Robert Hartmann (Germany)
Matches – 14 (Bundesliga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 29%.
Union Berlin vs. Stuttgart: Match Prediction
At home, the capital team does not perform at its best and only occasionally achieves maximum results. In their last 14 home Bundesliga matches, Union Berlin has secured just two victories (7 draws, 5 losses), and during this period, the club has only surpassed the one-goal mark three times. Additionally, in their last three home league games, the Berliners have conceded nine goals.
Stuttgart, on the other hand, showed confidence on the road last season, losing just four times in 17 away Bundesliga matches (7 wins, 6 draws). Each loss occurred against opponents who eventually finished in the top six of the previous season's standings. It's also worth noting that the Swabians scored 12 goals in their last four away Bundesliga games.
I expect a strong performance from the visitors in this match, so my prediction: Stuttgart with a handicap (0)
