An unexpected top Bundesliga derby for 22th matchday
There is hardly a game on the 22nd match day of the first German Bundesliga that is so eagerly awaited as Bayern Munich versus Union Berlin. The leader of the table welcomes third-placed Union Berlin at home. More than three points are at stake for both teams and the game could have a significant impact on the rest of the season.
Even if both teams play an excellent season, the bookmakers see the hosts clearly as the favorites, while Union Berlin is only ascribed very few outsider chances. But why Bayern are seen as favorites? Read all about it here as well with our expert analysis, betting predictions and tips.
For the first time after many years there is some real excitement in the top of the Bundesliga tables. In recent years, Bayern Munich has always been able to prove itself as the clear leader early in the season. Currently, the chances are better than ever that a team other than the record champions from Munich will become champions.Bayern are in first place, but only because of the better goal difference. Borussia Dortmund is tied in second place and Union Berlin in third place. Freiburg ranks fourth with 40 points and Leipzig and Frankfurt lurk in fifth and sixth place.
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Can Bayern Munich defend their crown?
For a long time, Bayern was considered the undisputed number one in German football. They have won the Bundesliga ten times in a row and are by far the German record champions. Now this season it looks like they still have a tough fight ahead of them to secure Bundesliga title number eleven. If the direct opponent from Dortmund wins his game on Saturday, there is a high chance that they will have to give up the lead in the table.
Nevertheless, Bayern Munich are credited with the highest chances of winning the league. The chances are also good in the other competitions. In the quarter-finals of the DFB-Cup at the beginning of April, they will meet SC Freiburg, which is currently fourth in the table. In the Champions League they have a good chance of progressing, after winning 1-0 against Paris Saint Germain in the first leg. Now the Parisians have to go to the Allianz Arena in Munich.
It has long been known that FC Bayern Munich is one of the best teams in the world, but this season there have always been games in which it seemed as if the ideas were running out or the players were not concentrating enough on the games. Of the last five games they have won four games, including the win against PSG, but before that there was a dry spell of three games in a row, which they could only manage to draw. The last game, so to speak, didn’t raise any hopes. They lost 3-2 away to the feared opponent of the last few years, Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Union Berlin: The new capital’s No1
For a long time, football in Berlin was deeply connected to Hertha BSC. In recent years, however, this attitude has changed more and more in favor of Union Berlin. They played better football than Hertha and also did better. They've been playing in the Bundesliga for four years now and have had solid seasons ever since. This season it was finally possible to prove that there is a new top club in Berlin.
The current situations of the two opponents are quite similar. Union Berlin is also still represented in all competitions for which they qualified at the start of the season. They are third in the league, but tied on points with Bayern. It is unlikely that they can win the championship, but a place in the Champions League would be a great success. In the DFB Cup, just like in Munich, they are currently waiting for the quarter-final draw. In the round of 16, they defeated their league rivals VfL Wolfsburg 2-1. They are also still represented at the European level. In the Europa League they were able to prevail in group D and knocker out Ajax Amsterdam. They defeated the top Dutch club 3-1 (0-0 in the first leg) and now will face Union SG from Belgium.
They can currently show good form in Berlin. They have won three of the last five games and ended in a draw twice. The draw against Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League was manageable, but against Schalke 04, bottom of the table, they should have taken the full three points. If they want to stay at the top of the table permanently, it becomes important to collect all possible points.
Bayern Munich - Union Berlin: What to expect?
The direct comparison clearly goes to the hosts from Munich. This is mainly due to the fact that Union Berlin has only recently been one of the top teams in Germany. Nevertheless, the Berliners were able to achieve a draw from time to time. Both teams scored in most games. The game in the first half of the season ended without a winner with a 1:1 draw. You can read which tips we ultimately recommend in the next point.
Even though Union Berlin is having a very strong season, we don't think it's possible to win against Bayern. So, we see Bayern Munich winning this one.
However, since betting on 1 offers low odds, it is advisable to combine it with other bets. Our experts believe that both teams will score. This has happened several times in past encounters. Because we believe that both teams will score and FC Bayern Munich will win, at least three goals must be scored. That's why we also recommend an Over 2.5 goals bet.
- Bayern Munich to win
- Over 2.5
- Both Teams To Score
* All odds and markets are correct at time of publication and subject to change.