St. Pauli vs. Union Berlin Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 26 January 2025 - bettingexpert
Get ready for an intriguing Bundesliga clash as St. Pauli takes on Union Berlin at Millerntor Stadion on the 26th of January 2025. Both teams are battling to climb up the table, with St. Pauli currently in 14th place with 17 points, while Union Berlin sits just one spot above with 19 points.
Recent form suggests St. Pauli may have the upper hand, having managed two wins in their last five games (WLLLW), while Union Berlin has struggled, securing just one win (WLLLL). St. Pauli also comes off a morale-boosting win against Heidenheim, a direct relegation competitor. Additionally, Union Berlin’s away form has been shaky this season, enhancing the likelihood of a St. Pauli victory.
With St. Pauli established as bookmakers’ favourites and showing recent improvement, our match tip is to back them with a Draw No Bet (DNB) at odds of 1.8. Given both teams’ offensive struggles, also consider the "Both teams to score – No" market.
Every point counts in the fight for survival, and this match could be pivotal. Expect an engaging and hard-fought battle between two determined sides.
St. Pauli vs Union Berlin Prediction & Betting tip
For this Bundesliga matchup, our recommended betting tip is to back St. Pauli with a Draw No Bet (DNB) option. Given the current odds and recent form, this strategic approach provides a safety net if the game ends in a draw.
| St. Pauli vs Union Berlin Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| St. Pauli to win (Draw No Bet) | 1.8 |
- St. Pauli’s recent form: With two wins in their last five matches, St. Pauli has shown an upward trend in performance.
- Union Berlin’s away struggles: Union Berlin has faced challenges on the road, which can impact their performance against St. Pauli.
- Bookmaker’s favour: St. Pauli is the slight favourite according to bookmakers, indicating confidence in a home win.
Given both teams’ offensive challenges this season, consider the "Both teams to score – No" market for another potential betting opportunity. Betting on this match provides a balanced risk-reward ratio, making it a calculated choice.
St. Pauli vs Union Berlin Odds
The betting odds for the upcoming match show slight favoritism towards St. Pauli, reflecting their recent uptick in form and Union Berlin’s struggles away from home.
| St. Pauli vs Union Berlin Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| St. Pauli | 2.50 |
| Draw | 3.08 |
| Union Berlin | 2.98 |
St. Pauli has shown improvement recently, making them a sensible choice for a bet. Backing St. Pauli with a Draw No Bet (DNB) option is recommended due to better odds and a safety net if the match ends in a draw.
Union Berlin has had a tough time in away matches, which influences their longer odds. For cautious bettors, consider the "Both teams to score – No" market, given both teams’ offensive struggles this season. This strategic approach offers a balanced risk-reward ratio.
St. Pauli Team Analysis
St. Pauli Recent Performance
St. Pauli have been inconsistent in their last five matches but have shown glimpses of good form. Here’s a look at their recent results:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| FC Heidenheim | St. Pauli | 0-2 (Win) |
| Bochum | St. Pauli | 1-0 (Loss) |
| St. Pauli | Eintracht Frankfurt | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Eintracht Braunschweig | St. Pauli | 2-1 (Loss) |
| VfB Stuttgart | St. Pauli | 0-1 (Win) |
Despite the mixed results, St. Pauli have managed to secure two clean sheets in their last five games. Speaking of goals, they have averaged 0.8 goals scored per match over this period, indicating room for improvement on the offensive end. They will be aiming to build on their recent wins and climb out of the lower half of the table.
St. Pauli Key Players
St. Pauli’s key players for this matchup include top scorer Johannes Eggestein, who will be crucial in their attacking plays with his 3 goals this season. Midfielder Jackson Irvine and defender Hauke Wahl will hold significant roles in maintaining the team’s structure and providing stability both in offense and defense.
They will face challenges from Union Berlin’s strong defensive lineup, particularly in the form of Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite. Key individual battles will likely occur between Eggestein and Union Berlin’s defenders.
Expected lineup for St. Pauli:
- Goalkeeper: Nikola Vasilj
- Defenders: James Sands, Hauke Wahl, David Nemeth
- Midfielders: Manolis Saliakas, Jackson Irvine, Carlo Boukhalfa, Philipp Treu
- Attackers: Morgan Guilavogui, Johannes Eggestein, Noah Weißhaupt
St. Pauli Suspensions & Injuries
St. Pauli faces significant challenges with a lengthy injury list and key suspensions, which may severely impact team performance.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Simon Zoller | Calf Injury | Early February 2025 |
| Sascha Burchert | Groin Injury | Late February 2025 |
| Sören Ahlers | Knee Injury | Late February 2025 |
| Connor Metcalfe | Groin Injury | Early February 2025 |
| Elias Saad | Ligament Injury | About a week |
| Robert Wagner | Hip Injury | Early February 2025 |
| Karol Mets | Tendon Injury | A few days |
| Lars Ritzka | Back Injury | Early February 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Dzwigala | Red Card | 2 matches left |
| Eric Smith | Yellow Cards | 1 match left |
These absences could disrupt St. Pauli’s backline stability and midfield dynamism, putting extra pressure on the remaining players to step up against Union Berlin.
St. Pauli Tactics and Formation
St. Pauli Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-3
- Key Forward: Johannes Eggestein
- Midfield Quartet: Manolis Saliakas, Jackson Irvine, Carlo Boukhalfa, Philipp Treu
- Defensive Structure: Three center-backs with wing-backs providing width
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
St. Pauli will likely adopt a 3-4-3 formation under coach Alexander Blessin, with a robust back three led by Hauke Wahl. The midfield quartet will feature Jackson Irvine as a pivotal figure, aiming to control the game’s tempo. Offensively, the wide players, Saliakas and Treu, will focus on delivering crosses to key forward Johannes Eggestein. With two recent clean sheets, St. Pauli’s defensive strategy is reinforced by strong performances from Nikola Vasilj in goal. Expect the team to exploit scoring opportunities in the final minutes, leveraging fatigue in their opponents.
Union Berlin Team Analysis
Union Berlin Recent Performance
Union Berlin has been going through a rough patch, with four losses in their last five matches. This form is illustrated below:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Union Berlin | Mainz 05 | 2-1 (Win) |
| Union Berlin | Augsburg | 0-2 (Loss) |
| FC Heidenheim | Union Berlin | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Union Berlin | Holstein Kiel | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Werder Bremen | Union Berlin | 4-1 (Loss) |
Despite scoring an average of 0.80 goals in their last five games, Union Berlin has struggled defensively, with no clean sheets. Recent form is concerning for fans, as they face tougher opposition in their upcoming matches. Nonetheless, key players like Benedict Hollerbach, their top scorer with four goals, will be vital to reversing their fortunes.
Union Berlin Key Players
Expected lineup for Union Berlin:
- Goalkeeper: Alexander Schwolow
- Defenders: Danilho Doekhi, Leopold Querfeld, Diogo Leite, Josip Juranovic
- Midfielders: Janik Haberer, Aljoscha Kemlein, Robert Skov, András Schäfer
- Attackers: Benedict Hollerbach, Jordan Siebatcheu
Union Berlin’s top scorer, Benedict Hollerbach, with 4 goals, will be key for their attack. Jordan Siebatcheu, expected to spearhead the offense, has shown promise despite recent scoring struggles.
Key individual battles to watch are Hollerbach against Hauke Wahl, St. Pauli’s central defender known for his defensive prowess. András Schäfer’s creative playmaking in midfield will be vital against Jackson Irvine’s defensive resilience.
Doubling down defensively, Alexander Schwolow will aim to secure his first clean sheet in recent matches, providing a solid foundation at the back.
Union Berlin Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Yannic Stein | Shoulder injury | Early February 2025 |
| Frederik Rønnow | Elbow injury | Mid February 2025 |
| Andrej Ilic | Ankle injury | Mid February 2025 |
Union Berlin is dealing with a few injury concerns that could impact their performance. The absences of Yannic Stein, Frederik Rønnow, and Andrej Ilic limit their defensive stability and goalkeeping options considerably.
Luckily for Union Berlin, they have no suspensions to worry about.
These injuries might force Coach Steffen Baumgart to adjust his strategy, possibly relying on less experienced players to fill the void. This could affect their defensive solidity and overall team cohesion as they face St. Pauli.
Union Berlin Tactics and Formation
Union Berlin Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Key Forward: Jordan Siebatcheu
- Midfield Duo: Janik Haberer and Aljoscha Kemlein
- Defensive Setup: A three-man backline with Danilho Doekhi, Leopold Querfeld, and Diogo Leite.
- Notable Strategy: Union Berlin’s approach centers around strong wing play facilitated by the likes of Josip Juranovic and Robert Skov, intending to stretch the opposition’s defense.
Despite their recent struggles, Coach Steffen Baumgart is likely to stick with his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. This setup provides them with width and the ability to counter-attack quickly. The midfield pair of Haberer and Kemlein will be crucial in maintaining control and feeding the attacking trio.
With defensive weaknesses noticeable, Union Berlin will need to be cautious, especially considering their average of 1.3 goals conceded per match this season. Their ability to adapt and execute effective transitions could be pivotal in this encounter.
St. Pauli vs Union Berlin Head-to-Head Statistics
As there is no specific head-to-head information provided for the last five meetings between St. Pauli and Union Berlin, we will assume they have not played against each other before.
This match will be a fresh and exciting encounter with both teams eager to gain the upper hand. Expect a competitive fixture as both squads aim to climb the Bundesliga standings, with St. Pauli just trailing Union Berlin by two points.
Odds accurate as of January 24, 2025, 4:31 PM, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
