Bundesliga: High-Flying Union Berlin Eyeing Big Bayern Upset

Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich

Union Berlin have been one of the big surprises in the Bundesliga this season. Die Eisernen find themselves up in eighth place after an eight-game unbeaten run that recently ended last week in the Berlin derby.

But they will face their toughest test to date as they welcome the defending champions, Bayern Munich, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

Bayern have not been at their absolute best of late, with their defence looking particularly shaky. But the Bundesliga 2020 betting odds nevertheless still have them as overwhelming favourites to send high-flying Union further back down to earth.

Talking Points

Union Berlin’s unbeaten run finally over

Union Berlin’s impressive run Bundesliga 2020 results – eight matches unbeaten (four wins, four draws) – finally came to an end as they fell 3-1 to city rivals Hertha Berlin in the derby.

Union had taken an early lead through Taiwo Awoniyi, but they went down to 10 men minutes later after Robert Andrich was sent off for a clumsy challenge.

They held on to their lead until the second half, where Hertha eventually broke through to win the match.

Bundesliga: Robert Andrich has been one of the key players in Union Berlin with three goals this season — Union Berlin’s Robert Andrich looking dejected after receiving a red card during their match against Hertha Berlin

Andrich will now be suspended for their match against Bayern, which will be a huge blow. The 26-year-old midfielder has been one of Union’s standout players this season with three goals and has started every match thus far.

Bayern Munich getting back to full strength

Bayern Munich Bayern Munich finished the Champions League group stage in style as they cruised to a 2-0 home win over Lokomotiv Moscow.

With qualification long secured, manager Hansi Flick was once again able to field a heavily rotated side for the second Champions League match running. Stars Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba, and Kingsley Coman got the much-needed night off against Lokomotiv while youngsters such as Marc Roca, Jamal Musiala, and Chris Richards received some valuable playing time.

That match also marked the return of exciting young left-back Alphonso Davies after missing the last few weeks due to an ankle injury. Midfielder Corentin Tolisso is also getting close to full fitness after a muscle injury, while Joshua Kimmich has returned to individual training.

Bayern should be back to full-strength for their visit against Union, with the likes of Lewandowski and Coman set to return and join Thomas Muller in attack.

Lewandowski remains in spectacular form this season and already has 12 goals with four assists in nine Bundesliga matches. Muller hasn’t been too bad himself with six goals and six assists.

Meanwhile, Coman – whose goal won Bayern the Champions League – has raised his game to another level of late. The French winger has scored three goals and assisted five more over his last four matches. That includes a hat-trick of assists in Bayern’s 3-3 draw against RB Leipzig.

With big-money signing Leroy Sane failing to impress during his recent run of starts, Serge Gnabry looks set to reclaim the other wing spot in the first XI in Berlin.

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History

There’s not much history to speak of between Bayern and Union Berlin, with the former having just gained promotion to the Bundesliga last season.

As expected, Bayern won both meetings last season. Although, they weren’t as one-sided as usual. Bayern beat Union 2-1 at home, then won 2-0 in Berlin.

Interestingly, Robert Lewandowski and Benjamin Pavard both scored a goal apiece in both of Bayern’s wins.

Betting Tip

	Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich	Bayern Munich Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.82
	December 13, 01:30 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have sided heavily with Bayern and have installed them as massive 1.31 favourites over Union, who are 8.00 underdogs at home.

It’s understandable that despite Union’s impressive start to the season, there’s still a huge talent gap between them and Bayern. That gap figures to be even greater with the absence of Andrich, who has been one of Union’s key players.

While Bayern have looked unconvincing of late, they are fresh and well-rested for this match and should be able to pull off a comfortable away win in the capital.