Union Berlin vs Cologne
Match details. Bundesliga, Regular Season - 8. Kick-off is Sun 1 Nov, 15:30 Lagos time. It is played at An der Alten Försterei, Berlin. The referee is Richard Hempel.
What's at stake. Union Berlin are 17th on 6 points after 7 games, level on points with FC Schalke 04, 2 points clear of Borussia Mönchengladbach. A win would take them above FC Schalke 04. Cologne are 14th on 8 points after 7 games, 1 point behind Hamburger SV, level on points with Eintracht Frankfurt. A win would take them above Hamburger SV.
Team news. Union Berlin are without A. Ilic (illness), A. Markgraf (knee injury), S. Nsoki (muscle injury), R. Skov (injury), F. Uduokhai (red card), A. Ilic (illness). Cologne are without R. Ache (thigh injury), T. Dallinga (knee injury), T. Hubers (knee injury), I. Rondic (injury), E. Skhiri (ankle injury), R. van den Berg (muscle injury).
Form. Union Berlin have won three, drawn three and lost four of their last ten, 1.2 points a game. Their last five, newest first: L D D W L. Cologne have won four, drawn two and lost four of their last ten, 1.4 points a game. Their last five, newest first: W D L W L.
The numbers. Union Berlin score 1.8 and concede 1.2 a game in their last five at home, with three clean sheets. Union Berlin average 10.7 shots (4.9 on target), 4.2 corners and 2.9 cards a game, with 42% of the ball. Cologne score one and concede 2.6 a game in their last five away, with no clean sheets. Cologne average 12.3 shots (4.8 on target), 5.5 corners and 1.6 cards a game, with 50% of the ball.
Head to head. In the last ten meetings Union Berlin have won five, drawn three and lost two. Five of the ten went over 2.5 goals and both teams scored in four. In the last four, Union Berlin won one, one was drawn and Cologne won two. The last time they met, on 27 Oct 2026, it finished Union Berlin 0-5 Cologne: Union Berlin had 17 shots to 14, 45% of the ball, four yellow cards.
The case against. Cologne's record still gives them 27% to win.
The read. Union Berlin or the draw. A draw is live. An open game. Cologne are the stronger side on form and the table. Their goals for and against point to an open game. Their records put over 2.5 goals at 59%.
The bets. Best bet: Union Berlin or Draw at 1.51, 71% on the records (Union Berlin unbeaten in 4 of 5 at home; Cologne failed to win 6 of 8). The safer one: Over 1.5 Goals at 1.20 (76%). Backup: 2nd Half - Over/Under: Over 0.5 at 1.21. It often rescues the bet, but it is no guarantee. Leave: Under 4.5 Goals (no unders on an open read); Under 5.5 Goals (no unders on an open read). Predicted score: Union Berlin 2-1 Cologne (9% chance).
Every score's chance from both teams' checked games, never cut or rescaled. The lit square is the likeliest score that fits the read (the call and an open game).