Arminia Bielefeld vs Union Berlin- Arminia Bielefeld and Union Berlin will face off at the SchucoArena on Saturday after both suffering Bundesliga defeats the previous weekend.
While Union lost for the second time in a row following a promising start to the season, their hosts had their greatest run of the season come to an end at the hands of high-flying Hoffenheim.
Union Berlin were left both goalless and meaningless as they were crushed 3-0 at home by Borussia Dortmund a week after suffering their first loss since the Bundesliga break, losing 2-0 at relegation-threatened Augsburg.
On 18 minutes, Marco Reus thumped the ball past Union goalkeeper Andreas Luthe to give the title contenders an early lead, and the visitors’ captain scored Dortmund’s second just five minutes later. Raphael Guerreiro’s goal midway through the second half gave the capital club only their second home loss of the season.
Arminia had gone six games undefeated before traveling to Sinsheim last Sunday, but returned north with little to show for their efforts after a 2-0 loss to Hoffenheim.
Since losing to Hertha in early December, Frank Kramer’s team has enjoyed a rather successful run, with away victories over Leipzig and Frankfurt among the highlights, but they must hope that a single setback will not derail their progress.
Arminia’s finest run of the season, which saw them surrender only five goals in the process, has helped them escape the bottom three, and they are now level on points with Augsburg in the relegation playoff spot.
Arminia Bielefeld vs Union Berlin – Team News:
Union coach Urs Fischer may make at least a few of changes following consecutive league defeats, as he adjusts to life without Marvin Friedrich and Max Kruse, who left for Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg, respectively, during the winter transfer window.
After serving a one-match ban last weekend, Rani Khedira is expected to return to the center of midfield on Saturday, while centre-back Robin Knoche is suspended this week and will be replaced by Julian Ryerson in the visitors’ back three. Keita Endo, a Japanese winger, could potentially be ruled out due to sickness.
Meanwhile, Christopher Trimmel surpassed his former comrade Friedrich as the club’s all-time leading appearance maker in the Bundesliga last time out, and will suit up for the 80th time on Saturday.
Arminia appear to be injury-free, however left-back Andres Andrade is still recovering from an ankle ailment, while defensive partner Amos Pieper has yet to return from a concussion.
Importantly for the hosts, important attacker Patrick Wimmer has been reinstated after serving his suspension for receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.
Arminia Bielefeld possible starting lineup:
Ortega; Brunner, Nilsson, Ramos, Laursen; Schopf, Castro, Vasiliadis; Wimmer, Serra, Okugawa
Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Luthe; Ryerson, Jaeckel, Baumgartl; Trimmel, Khedira, Promel, Oczipka; Becker, Michel; Awoniyi
Arminia Bielefeld vs Union Berlin – Head-to-Head:
Our Prediction: Under 3.5 Goals
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