Debut ball in Europa League
Not all leagues in Europe are predictable. Time and time again, some clubs manage to push through the phalanx of top dogs and have a season they never thought possible. Two of these underdogs meet on the first matchday in the Europa League. Union Berlin awaits Belgian representative Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Berliners have made a sensational development in recent years and by now no one would be surprised if the Köpenicker would make their debut in the Champions League in the medium term. First of all, the Eisern are delighted to be in the Europa League for the first time ever.
It should be possible for Urs Fischer’s team to advance. In addition to the Belgians, Malmö FF and Sporting Braga complete this group. If the Berliners manage to get off to a good start in the international season, then spending the winter in the Europa League should be the goal.
The Belgians have risen from the ashes like Phoenix in pre-season and have soared to unprecedented heights in the Jupiler League. This season, the aim is to at least come close to confirming their runners-up finish. International business is just a sideline. The Eisernen are already a bit further ahead and therefore we tend to bet on a success for the home side in the duel between Union Berlin and Royale Union SG.
Union Berlin – Statistics & current form
Three or four years ago, no one would have expected Union Berlin to establish themselves in the Bundesliga’s extended top flight and now play internationally for the second time in a row. Although top performers keep leaving the club, Urs Fischer manages to close the gaps and compensate for the departures.
Unbeaten in iron
So the Köpenickers have come out of the starting blocks superbly again this year. Including the DFB Cup, the Eisernen are still unbeaten in six games this season. In the Bundesliga, that means fourth place with eleven points, level on points with Bayern. If Urs Fischer’s team also performs as usual on Thursday, then between Union Berlin and Royale Union SG we mainly look at the odds that have something to do with a home win.
Last weekend, FC Bayern were guests at the Alte Försterei. However, the Köpenicker are not afraid of big names and pulled off their game even against seemingly overpowering opponents. Sheraldo Becker even gave the underdogs a 1:0 lead. At the final whistle, the score was 1-1, but the Berliners were right to be celebrated by their crowd.
There is still a question mark behind three players on Thursday. Diogo Leite will probably be absent due to a chest contusion. Jordan Siebatcheu is complaining of muscular problems and may also miss the match. In addition, Jannik Haberer will become a father. Should the child see the light of day in time, the midfielder could be in the squad.
Predicted line-up of Union Berlin:
Rönnow – Ryerson, Doekhi, Jaeckel, Knoche, Trimmel – Khedira, Schäfer, Thorsby – Behrens, Becker – Coach: Fischer
Last matches played by Union Berlin:
Bundesliga
03/09/2022 – Union Berlin 1 – 1 Bayern Munich
27/08/2022 – Schalke 04 1 – 6 Union Berlin
20/08/2022 – Union Berlin 2 – 1 RB Leipzig
14/08/2022 – Mainz 05 0 – 0 Union Berlin
Club friendlies
09/08/2022 – Union Berlin 1 – 1 Hannover 96
Royal Union SG – Statistics & current form
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise is basically a club that is going through exactly the same development as Union Berlin. No one would have expected this team to come within a hair’s breadth of the Belgian championship. But while the coach is at least a constant for the Eisernen, the Belgians had to let go of key players and the coach.
Ordinary start to the season for Royale
That’s a setback then, and one that’s not easy to take. Still, things are going decently so far. Although they missed out on qualification for the Champions League, they are in fifth place in the Belgian Jupiler League with 13 points after seven match days. Everything is in the green and yet the Belgians travel to the German capital on Thursday as underdogs.
We can’t imagine that between Union Berlin and Royale Union SG a forecast for a success of the guests could fit. Last weekend, there was a 3:1 away win at Zulte-Waregem in the league. Saint-Gilloise benefited from two penalties, which were converted by Teddy Teuma and ex-Ingolstadt player Dennis Eckert-Ayensa. In between, Waregem helped out with an own goal. The home side’s late consolation goal was of little consequence.
Koki Machida and Gustaf Nilsson will only be able to watch on Thursday in Berlin due to injury. Apart from that, the new coach Karel Geraerts has all his players on board. It is possible that Dennis Eckert-Ayensa will be called up to the starting eleven after his goal at the weekend. In general, however, there is no great reason to change the formation.
Predicted line-up of Royale Union SG:
Moris – Burgess, van der Heyden, Kandouss – Lynen, Amani, Teuma, Niuewkoop, Adingra – Venzeir, Boniface – Coach: Geraerts
Last matches played by Royale Union SG:
Jupiler Liga
05/09/2022 – SV Zulte Waregem 1 – 3 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
01/09/2022 – Antwerp 4 – 2 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
28/08/2022 – Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2 – 1 RSC Anderlecht
14/08/2022 – Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2 – 1 KV Kortrijk
Champions League Qualifier
10/08/2022 – Rangers 3 – 0 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
Union Berlin – Royale Union SG Direct comparison / H2H record
If you want to browse through the European Cup history of Union Berlin and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, you don’t have to take a day off. Both teams have played little to no role on the international stage so far. That is why both teams will meet for the first time ever in a competitive match on Thursday.
However, both clubs have met before. In January 2020, there was a test match between these two teams. Sheraldo Becker and Anthony Ujah gave the Eisern a 2-0 lead at the break. Aron Sigurdarson and Sigurd Haugen scored for the Belgians in the second period to make the score 2-2.
Union Berlin – Royale Union SG Tip
Get going right from the start, that must be Union Berlin’s goal. If the Köpenickers manage to start the Europa League with a win, then that could release further forces to take one of the first two places in a solvable but by no means easy group. With the Eisern still unbeaten this season, it could well be a successful start.
Royal Saint-Gilloise, however, is a team that plays a similar style and will be very keen on counter-attacking. Berlin will therefore have to make the play, but that too is now part of the Fischer eleven’s repertoire.
However, we also think that the Köpenickers will be very stable at the back. If you only concede one goal against Bayern, you should be able to keep a clean sheet against Saint-Gilloise. That is why we have decided to play the betting odds on a win to nil for the Eisernen in the match between Union Berlin and Royale Union SG.
