Union Berlin vs. Holstein Kiel Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 2 March 2025 - bettingexpert

This Sunday brings a crucial Bundesliga match as Union Berlin hosts Holstein Kiel at the Alte Foersterei. With Union Berlin sitting in 13th place and Kiel struggling at the bottom of the table, both teams are desperate for a win to steer clear of relegation.

Union Berlin, despite recent heavy defeats, are the bookmakers’ favorites. They’ve had a tough run, highlighted by a 6-0 drubbing against Borussia Dortmund. Meanwhile, Holstein Kiel’s resilience has seen them avoid defeat in two of their last five games, but they still lag at the bottom.

Expect a close contest with neither side holding a decisive edge. Our match prediction tips a hard-fought draw.

• Union Berlin is strong defensively.
• Holstein Kiel excels in attack.
• Odds suggest Union as favorites.
• Recommended bet: Draw at 4.35.

## Union Berlin vs Holstein Kiel Prediction & Betting Tip

Union Berlin vs Holstein Kiel prediction: Draw

Betting Tip	Odds
Draw	4.35

Reasons for this prediction:

• Close Contest: Union Berlin is strong in defense, while Holstein Kiel excels in attack, making a balanced encounter likely.
• Current Form: Both teams have shown inconsistencies recently, but a pattern of resilience suggests a closely-fought match.
• Bookmakers’ View: Despite Union being the favorites, the odds for a draw are quite attractive, indicating an even playing field.

Expect a hard-fought match where neither side holds a decisive edge, making a draw a solid bet.

## Union Berlin vs Holstein Kiel Odds

Let’s look at the betting odds for this intriguing match in the Bundesliga.

Union Berlin vs Holstein Kiel Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Union Berlin	1.58
Draw	4.17
Holstein Kiel	5.32

Union Berlin is the bookmaker’s favorite, as evidenced by their short odds. Despite their recent form, Holstein Kiel offers high value for a potential upset given their attacking resilience. Given the circumstances, the draw bet seems quite appealing considering both teams’ recent performances.

These odds suggest a closely fought match where neither team has a clear edge, making tactical nuances crucial.

## Union Berlin Team Analysis

### Union Berlin Recent Performance

Union Berlin’s recent form has been a mixed bag, as reflected in their last five matches: two heavy defeats bookended around a solitary win and a draw. They have managed two clean sheets in their last five games, primarily demonstrating strength defensively.
However, the goals have dried up somewhat, with the team only averaging 1.00 goal per match in this period. Their defensive frailties were particularly exploited in heavy losses against Borussia Dortmund and St. Pauli.
Their detailed recent results are as follows:

Home team	Away team	Result
Borussia Dortmund	Union Berlin	6-0 (Loss)
Union Berlin	Borussia Moenchengladbach	1-2 (Loss)
Hoffenheim	Union Berlin	0-4 (Win)
Union Berlin	RB Leipzig	0-0 (Draw)
St. Pauli	Union Berlin	3-0 (Loss)

Recent Form: LLWDL

Despite some struggles, Union Berlin remains resilient defensively, but there’s a clear need for improvement in their attacking output.

### Union Berlin Key Players

Union Berlin will look to their top scorer Benedict Hollerbach, who has netted 6 goals this season, to lead the line against Holstein Kiel. His role on the left wing could be crucial in breaking down the opposition’s vulnerable defense.
Another key player to watch is goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow. His performance, particularly in keeping clean sheets, could be vital in this matchup. The centre-back pairing of Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi will also need to be on top of their game to manage Holstein Kiel’s strikers.
Expected lineup for Union Berlin:

• Goalkeeper: Frederik Rønnow
• Defenders: Josip Juranovic, Diogo Leite, Danilho Doekhi, Tom Rothe
• Midfielders: Lucas Tousart, Rani Khedira, Woo-yeong Jeong, András Schäfer, Benedict Hollerbach
• Forwards: Andrej Ilic

### Union Berlin Suspensions & Injuries

Union Berlin has several injuries that may impact their performance:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Aljoscha Kemlein	Foot injury	Out for the season
Oluwaseun Ogbemudia	Foot injury	Mid-March 2025
Robert Skov	Ankle injury	Mid-March 2025

With two key midfielders, Oluwaseun Ogbemudia and Robert Skov, sidelined until mid-March, Steffen Baumgart may need to rely heavily on his squad’s depth.
Aljoscha Kemlein being out for the season significantly weakens their defensive solidity, making their task even tougher against Holstein Kiel.

### Union Berlin Tactics and Formation

Union Berlin Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Andrej Ilic
• Wings: Woo-yeong Jeong and Benedict Hollerbach
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games

Union Berlin will likely set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Steffen Baumgart looking to stabilize the team after recent heavy defeats. The midfield duo of Lucas Tousart and Rani Khedira will aim to provide defensive solidity.

Expect Jeong and Hollerbach on the wings to offer width and creativity, while András Schäfer operates centrally as an attacking midfielder. Defensive cohesion will be key, especially without key players like Kemlein.

With a recent history of tight matches, expect Union Berlin to focus on disciplined defending while looking to exploit Holstein Kiel’s frail defense on the counter.

Holstein Kiel Team Analysis

Holstein Kiel Recent Performance:

Holstein Kiel hasn’t had the greatest run recently, with a mixed bag of results. Their last five Bundesliga matches have resulted in two draws and three losses, highlighting their struggles at both ends of the pitch.

• Average Goals Scored: 1.60
• Clean Sheets: 0 in the last 5 games

Here’s a quick look at their recent results:

Home team	Away team	Result
Holstein Kiel	Bayer Leverkusen	0-2 (Loss)
Eintracht Frankfurt	Holstein Kiel	3-1 (Loss)
Holstein Kiel	Bochum	2-2 (Draw)
Bayern Munich	Holstein Kiel	4-3 (Loss)
Wolfsburg	Holstein Kiel	2-2 (Draw)

This period has seen Holstein Kiel concede an average of 2.5 goals per match, which is a significant defensive concern. However, their ability to score, averaging 1.60 goals per match, shows promise. Coach Marcel Rapp will need to bolster their defensive strategies if they want to improve their standings and avoid relegation.

Holstein Kiel Key Players

Holstein Kiel’s lineup features several notable names who will be key in their clash against Union Berlin. Leading the charge is their top scorer, Phil Harres, who has netted 7 goals this season. He will be pivotal in their attacking endeavors, especially given Union Berlin’s recent defensive troubles.
Shuto Machino, another forward in form, will look to exploit any gaps in Union Berlin’s defense. They will need strong midfield support from the likes of Armin Gigovic and Nicolai Remberg, who can both create and break up play.
Expected lineup for Holstein Kiel:

• Goalkeeper: Timon Weiner
• Defenders: David Zec, Marco Komenda, Marko Ivezic
• Midfielders: Nicolai Remberg, Armin Gigovic, Dominik Javorcek, Lasse Rosenboom, Magnus Knudsen
• Attackers: Phil Harres, Shuto Machino

Holstein Kiel Suspensions & Injuries

Holstein Kiel faces a significant injury crisis ahead of their clash with Union Berlin. The team will be without several key players, which could impede their performance.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Colin Kleine-Bekel	Cruciate ligament injury	Mid-April 2025
Patrick Erras	Head injury	Early March 2025
Carl Johansson	Knee injury	About a week
Alexander Bernhardsson	Ligament injury	About a week
John Tolkin	Thigh injury	Mid-March 2025
Benedikt Pichler	Muscle injury	Early March 2025
Ivan Nekic	Muscle injury	Early March 2025
Finn Porath	Muscle injury	A few days
Fiete Arp	Head injury	A few days

This substantial list of injuries includes key figures such as Colin Kleine-Bekel and John Tolkin, affecting both their defense and midfield solidity. These absences could make it harder for Holstein Kiel to maintain their shape and disrupt Union Berlin’s play.

Holstein Kiel Tactics and Formation

Holstein Kiel’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-5-2
• Key Forwards: Phil Harres and Shuto Machino
• Midfield Quintet: Lasse Rosenboom, Armin Gigovic, Nicolai Remberg, Magnus Knudsen, Dominik Javorcek
• Defensive Strategy: Three-man backline with David Zec, Marco Komenda, and Marko Ivezic
  Holstein Kiel’s approach is to utilize a fluid 3-5-2 formation, which allows for versatility in both defense and attack. The team relies on Phil Harres and Shuto Machino to lead the offensive charge, with Harres being the top scorer for the team.
  In the midfield, the quintet works tirelessly to control the pace of the game, offering both defensive support and transitional play into attack. The three-man defense is sturdy, although recent injuries have forced adjustments.
  Given their susceptibility to conceding goals (2.5 on average per match), maintaining cohesion amongst the defensive line while utilizing the width provided by the midfielders will be crucial for Holstein Kiel’s hopes in this matchup.

Union Berlin vs Holstein Kiel Head-to-Head Statistics

Home	Away	Result
Union Berlin	Holstein Kiel	1-2
Holstein Kiel	Union Berlin	0-2
Union Berlin	Holstein Kiel	1-2
Union Berlin	Holstein Kiel	3-0
Holstein Kiel	Union Berlin	0-2

Union Berlin and Holstein Kiel have faced each other five times recently, with both teams displaying competitive spirits.
Union Berlin has recorded victories in three of the five meetings, highlighting their ability to dominate at home and away.
Holstein Kiel has managed to snatch two wins, proving they can be a challenging opponent on their day. This head-to-head suggests Union Berlin might hold a slight psychological advantage heading into this fixture.

Odds accurate as of 28th February 2025, 14:32, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.