Union Berlin vs RB Leipzig Predictions

Union Berlin became the 56th team to feature in the Bundesliga after earning promotion via the promotion/relegation play-offs back in May. Urs Fischer’s side warmed up for the new domestic season with a 6-0 win away to fourth-tier Germania Halberstadt in the DFB Pokal first round, but will no doubt be wary of the much tougher test this weekend.

Union have strengthened their squad over the summer, but an opening game against RB Leipzig is a less than ideal way to test unchartered waters. Newly signed midfielder Christian Gentner, a veteran to the Bundesliga who was part of the Stuttgart side that lost out to them in a promotion/relegation play-offs, and former-Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic are two such players that have been brought in to steady the ship.

RB Leipzig have very much established themselves among the Bundesliga elite since their maiden top-flight season in 2016/17. Now with former Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann at the helm, even Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus has come out and said they could be title contenders this season. Nagelsmann worked wonders with limited resources at Hoffenheim, so imagine what he can do with players like Timo Werner and Marzel Sabitzer!

His attacking philosophy has already been on display this summer as RB Leipzig navigated through a tricky cup tie at Bundesliga 2 side Osnabruck last Sunday, and that 3-2 win will have been much-needed preparation ahead of another road trip this weekend. Whether the 32-year-old will hold new signings Ademola Lookman and Ethan Ampadu in reserve again this weekend is yet to be seen.

Leipzig’s attack is no doubt what will concern Union most this weekend – the Red Bulls did score the fourth-most goals in the Bundesliga last season after all. However, Union’s defensive record from 18/19 should make them confident enough this won’t get too out of hand – despite finishing third in the Bundesliga 2 last season, they boasted the best defensive record in the league.

Sebastian Polter (Union) and Yussuf Poulsen (Leipzig), who still play for their respective clubs, both scored in the first meeting between the two sides back in 2014. However, in this match, it’s the latter we’d be keeping an eye on. Poulsen was Leipzig’s second top scorer last season (15) and alongside Werner (16) the pair scored just under half of Leipzig’s goals in 18/19.

Leipzig have never won in the German capital against Union, but it’s been a few years since the pair last met, and it’s clear that the visitors have come on leaps and bounds. We don’t expect Union to be completely out of their depth in the Bundesliga, but the price on Leipzig to win this opening game looks too good to pass on, particularly when they’ve won 7 of their last 9 on the road. Our prediction: 2-1 RB Leipzig.