Union Berlin’s rise in the Bundesliga is nothing short of inspirational, as the side has risen from the second division of the Bundesliga to the second position in the top-tier flight. They are currently in second place with 36 points from 18 matches and have won all the matches in 2023. This win streak, combined with other teams dropping points, has presented them with an opportunity to go to the top position, as they are just one point behind table-toppers Bayern Munich. Therefore, we look at their stats to understand how their form could hand them Champions League qualification.
Attack
The visual above shows the crossing zones of Union Berlin from the last three matches in the Bundesliga. Union Berlin is a side that plays a lot of crosses into the box. They have played 53 crosses in the last three games, out of which 22 were accurate for 41.5% success. A lot of Union Berlin’s goals have come from crosses, and they have used crosses well. Out of the seven goals they have scored, four were from set-pieces or high balls.
Goals
The visual above shows Union Berlin’s xG map from the last three matches. They have scored seven goals and have attempted 33 shots. Out of the 33 shots, 12 were on target. They exceeded their xG rate of 4.25 comfortably and had an average of 2.3 goals per game. They had a shooting accuracy of 36%.
The visual above shows the xG map of Daniho Doekhi from the last three matches in the Bundesliga. The defender has scored three goals in the last three matches, all of which were from set pieces. The danger he poses from set pieces makes him a great threat to any opposition.
Defence
If Union Berlin managed to attack well and find the necessary goals, their defence has also been pretty good, conceding just two goals in three games. Therefore, we look at some of their defensive stats.
The visual above shows Union Berlin’s defensive territory from the last three matches. They contested a total of 225 defensive duels and won 145 of them, with a 64.4% success rate. They also contested 192 aerial duels and won 93 of them with a 48.4% success rate. Their defence has been solid and has conceded only two goals. Union Berlin also made a total of 141 interceptions with an average of 47 interceptions per game, which is an improvement from their season average of 41.94.
Union Berlin have blocked 11 shots in the last three games. This close-knit defensive unit has been crucial to their winning streak. They made 80 clearances in the last three games with an average of 26.33 clearances per game, which is seven more than their season average.
Robin Knoche is Union Berlin’s best defender, with over 135 interceptions this season. He’s been solid at the back for them as usual, and he’s helped them maintain their defensive discipline in recent games. In the last three games, he has ten interceptions and has stopped attacks at the root.
Betting Analysis
Union Berlin are in red-hot form and are enjoying a three-match win streak. This form has brought their odds down in the 1×2 market. Similarly, their consistency in scoring and not conceding will raise their overlines higher.
If Bayern fails to produce another result in the next game, Union Berlin has a golden opportunity to go top of the table. They have reduced the gap to one point and are looking great. If they maintain this form throughout this season, they could fulfil their dream of playing in the Champions League.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
