Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise
UEFA Europa League, KO: 17:45 Mar 9, 2023, Stadion An der Alten Forsterei
Union Berlin will be targeting a solid first leg advantage when they host Union Saint-Gilloise in their Europa League round of 16 clash.
Union saw off Dutch giants Ajax in the knockout playoffs to book their place in the round of 16 of the competition. Having held out for a 0-0 draw in the Netherlands, they claimed a 3-1 victory in the second leg at home.
It has been an impressive Europa League campaign for Union Berlin, who have turned a corner after losing their opening two matches in the group stage. They are unbeaten in their last six matches in the competition, claiming five wins in that run.
The victory over Ajax also highlights a superb home record for Union Berlin who are unbeaten in their last 19 matches at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. Urs Fischer’s men have also won their last three home matches in the Europa League but will head into Thursday’s clash off the back of a 0-0 draw with FC Cologne in the Bundesliga last Saturday.
Union Saint-Gilloise drew a bye into the knockout stage of the Europa League after finishing top of the same group with Union Berlin. Their only defeat in six matches was a 1-0 home loss to the Germans in their final group stage fixture.
The Belgians do not travel to Germany in the best form having claimed just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. That win was a 2-1 victory over AS Eupen in a domestic league fixture last Saturday.
Union Saint-Gilloise have also found things difficult on their recent travels with just one win in their last five away matches across all competitions. However, having won all three of their away matches in the Europa League, Karel Garaerts’ men will still head into Thursday’s clash with plenty of confidence.
How the bookies view it
Union Berlin are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 13/20 by William Hill to claim the win. A victory for Union Saint-Gilloise is valued at 19/4 by BetVictor while a draw is set at odds of 16/5 with bet365.
Head to head
Union Berlin and Union Saint-Gilloise have claimed one win each and a draw from three previous meetings. Both teams already met during the group stage, each claiming a 1-0 win away from home.
Players to watch
Centre-back Robin Knoche is the dedicated penalty taker for Union Berlin and having scored three times in the Europa League, could be backed to find the net on Thursday at 10/1 with Unibet. A safer option could be striker Sven Michel, who netted the winner in the last meeting with Union Saint-Gilloise and is priced at 7/4 with bet365 to get on the score sheet.
Victor Boniface scored three times during the group stage and will be the one to watch for Union Saint-Gilloise. Having also found the net four times in the last six matches across all competitions, the Nigerian striker can be backed to maintain his scoring run at 10/3 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
Union Berlin and Union Saint-Gilloise boast some attacking quality and both teams can be backed to score at 11/10 with bet365. There were over 3.5 goals in the Germans’ last Europa League fixture and a repeat is priced at 16/5 with BetVictor, who are also offering odds of 6/5 for over 2.5 goals.
The Germans are priced at minimal odds for a straight victory so a win and over 2.5 goals can be considered at 15/8 with bet365. They have also scored a penalty in their last three home matches in the competition and that run can be tipped to continue at 4/1 with bet365.
This UEFA Europa League match between Union Berlin and Union Saint-Gilloise will be played on Mar 9, 2023 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
