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Two of the Bundesliga's early strugglers meet at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei on Friday evening, as Union Berlin host newly promoted Schalke 04 in a matchday-three clash both sides will see as an opportunity to kick-start their campaigns.
No side has conceded more goals than Mauro Lustrinelli's Union after two rounds, while the visitors remain one of only three Bundesliga clubs yet to find the net this season following their return to the top flight.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Union Berlin vs. Schalke key stats
- Union Berlin have conceded seven goals in their first two Bundesliga matches this season, the joint-most in the division.
- Schalke are one of three Bundesliga sides yet to score after the opening two matchdays.
- Union Berlin are unbeaten in their last five competitive meetings with Schalke (1W, 4D).
Union Berlin vs. Schalke preview: Two winless sides collide in Kopenick
Union Berlin vs Schalke — Tale of the Tape
| Union Berlin | vs | Schalke |
|---|---|---|
| 15th | Position | 14th |
| 1 | Points | 1 |
| 3 | Goals For | 0 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 3 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 11th | Home / Away Rank | 15th |
Union's season began with a spirited home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, Leopold Querfeld and Tim Skarke scoring late to salvage a 3-3 result, but Lustrinelli's side then endured a much tougher outing at Bayer Leverkusen, conceding inside the opening minute en route to a heavy 4-0 defeat that continued their poor record at the BayArena.
The Swiss coach, appointed in May after winning the Swiss title with FC Thun, takes over a Union side that finished 11th last season and will be desperate to shore up a defence that has already shipped seven goals in two matches.
The hosts can look to their 4-2 win over Braunschweig in the DFB-Pokal last month as a positive this season, while they can also look to make use of their home crowd, where they have lost just one of their last five league games (W1, D3, L1).
Union will have to head into this game without Oliver Burke, Andrik Markgraf and Stanly Nsoki, while Andrej Ilic, Kastriot Imeri and Marvin Friedrich are doubtful.
Schalke, by contrast, arrive full of optimism despite their own winless start, thanks to their goalless draw with holding champions Bayern Munich on matchday two.
Miron Muslic, who guided the Royal Blues to the 2. Bundesliga title last season saw his side lose 3-0 to Augsburg on the opening-day, but that feeling has been quickly expunged with the draw away at Bayern Munich.
They also recorded a 5-2 extra time DFB-Pokal win at third-tier outfit Hallescher last month, making their start to the campaign a positive one.
Ron Schallenberg is suspended following his red card against Augsburg, while Tomas Kalas faces a late fitness test.
Loris Karius, who faces his old club for the first time, will continue in goal behind a back three of Timo Becker, Nikola Katic and Hasan Kurucay.
Union Berlin vs. Schalke form guide & betting tips
| Union Berlin | vs | Schalke |
|---|---|---|
D
L
|
Form | L
D
|
| 1 | Points | 1 |
| 15th | Form Table | 14th |
| 3 | Goals For | 0 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 3 |
W
L
W
D
L
|
Form (All Comps) | L
L
W
L
D
|
Whispers predicts: Union Berlin 2-1 Schalke
Union's home advantage and greater top-flight nous make the home win market at 2.30 (13/10) the sensible starting point, even with their defensive struggles so far this season, given Schalke remain without a goal in the competition.
The both teams to score picture is less clear-cut than usual due to Schalke's inability to find the net, but given that the hosts have conceded nine goals in three games this season, BTTS at 1.50 (1/2).
For value, a correct score of 2-1 at 9.50 (17/2) to Union Berlin accounts for the hosts' leaky defence while backing their attacking players to finally take advantage of a struggling Schalke back line on home soil.
> Both teams to score at 1.50 (1/2 | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result — Union Berlin win at 2.30 (13/10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score — Union Berlin 2-1 Schalke 04 at 9.50 (17/2) | Likelihood: Outsider