- Leverkusen are unbeaten at home across all competitions (W3, D1), conceding just two goals in four matches.
- Union Berlin have been porous on their travels across all competitions (W2, D2, L3).
- Leverkusen are on a two-game winning streak (4-0 win at SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB-Pokal and a 2-1 friendly win at Newcastle) heading into this match.
Head-to-head & league form
Leverkusen have the better of the head-to-head with Union Berlin with three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five meetings. Die Eisernen's last trip to Leverkusen in this Bundesliga cycle ended with a 1-0 away win six months ago, so they know this venue well and will know how to nick this contest. Werkself are the clear favorite for this match at 47/100, with Union Berlin at 24/5 and the draw at 18/5. Leverkusen are flying across all competitions with seven wins, one draw and two defeats in their last ten, which is an impressive stretch of form to come back from. Union Berlin have been a mixed bag, with three wins, three draws and four defeats in their last 10, so consistency is a major issue.
Team news
Carles Martínez has the hosts playing some controlled, possession-based football where they build up well and create overloads with their wing-backs. Union Berlin have a more active, vertical edge under Mauro Lustrinelli, where the press is sharper and they transition quickly from turnovers. This will be a battle of control vs disruption, and Leverkusen's system should be able to punish Union if they can make them over commit.
Patrik Schick has been the danger man for Leverkusen in recent weeks, scoring four of their 12 goals in their last five matches. Ilyas Ansah has been Union's most impressive spark with two of their six goals in their last five.
Selection
Leverkusen should have the edge at home, but Union's threat in transition makes this feel more competitive than the odds suggest, so I'm going to be bold and take both sides to hit the back of the net.
Both Teams to Score - Yes at 11/20 seems to have some bite here, but Over 2.5 goals at 11/25 is the main play given the attacking lean of both sides.
