Bundesliga matchday 24, Sunday, 02.03.2025 at 15:30
Union Berlin vs Kiel – a relegation duel? Strictly speaking, yes, because the “Irons” are once again in a difficult phase.
If the negative trend continues, relegation could become a key issue sooner than the fans would like. There is still enough time, but the points have to come now.
For bottom club Kiel, on the other hand, there are no alternatives: a three-pointer is a must!
The “Storks” are stuck at the bottom of the table and urgently need a win to avoid losing touch. Who will come out on top in this crucial clash?
My Union Berlin Kiel prediction will leave no stone unturned on the way to profitable soccer bets!
The direct comparison gives my Union Berlin Kiel prediction, in which I expect an entertaining and possibly successful performance for the home side, an additional boost.
Although this is only the second time that Union Berlin and Holstein Kiel have met in the Bundesliga, the clash in the first half of the season ended in a 2-0 win for the Köpenickers.
The Berliners have also remained stable in four encounters in the 2nd division (3 wins, 1 draw). Incidentally, the only other team against whom FCU have not been defeated in at least as many games in German professional soccer is Waldhof Mannheim (6 games).
The oddsmakers’ prediction?
Union are the clear favorites, but don’t underestimate Kiel! The odds of 5.50 for a surprise win for the “Storks” are tempting – and who knows, they might actually get one of those magical days.
Union, on the other hand, are trading at 1.60 as an almost safe bet, but I personally wouldn’t put too much faith in that.
However, if you want to take the path in between: A draw tip at quite high values of around 4.20 could be spot on – after all, betting providers with PayPal offer you great Union Berlin Kiel odds for this.
AI prediction Union Berlin vs Kiel: This is what ChatGPT
The Union Berlin Kiel AI prediction from ChatGPT once again provides me with three betting suggestions at the touch of a button, which I have scrutinized extensively for you. But not all the tips convince me equally …
At high risk, for example, the AI suggests “Union win with handicap -2”. But that’s almost too much of a good thing for me, even for a declared high-risk tip. A home win? Possible, but rather questionable at this level.
For a medium risk, on the other hand, there is the recommendation to select “Victory Union without conceding a goal” on your preferred sports betting app.
I don’t like that either! After all, the Storks have scored in nine of their last ten point games – so why not this time? I can see much better alternatives.
Finally, ChatGPT suggests “Over 2.5 goals” for the safe option – and that’s almost a must! Kiel are the only Bundesliga club to score an average of four or more goals in their matches. Insane!
Analysis: Union Berlin vs Kiel
Union Berlin are in a difficult phase, which reached its low point for the time being with the 6-0 defeat against Dortmund. With just 24 points after 23 match days, the club is currently experiencing its weakest Bundesliga season ever!
The offense is also disappointing with only 21 goals – Union had never scored so few at this point. Nevertheless, the home side could be about to turn things around. Interestingly, FCU recently celebrated three consecutive 2-0 wins against Holstein Kiel.
Kiel, on the other hand, are bottom of the table with just 13 points and are practically on the brink of relegation. The league newcomers’ biggest weakness is their defense, which is the worst in the Bundesliga with 59 goals conceded.
At the same time, the northern Germans are certainly dangerous in attack, as nine consecutive games with goals scored before the 2-0 defeat against Leverkusen impressively demonstrated.
However, Holstein are particularly weak in the first half, and with 36 goals conceded before the break, the team is even bottom of the table in Europe.
Goals therefore seem almost guaranteed on Sunday: Union will try to end their negative streak, while the Storks will not shy away from an open exchange of blows.
Rating Analysis
“Kiel scores a goal in both halves” is a risky bet, but one that is also quite generously rewarded with odds of around 5.30.
Kiel often show a strong offensive performance, especially when the Storks fall behind and have to play actively forwards. The risk is therefore worth it if you are also convinced of their offensive power.
However, “FCU over 1.5 goals” at odds of around 1.62 seems to me to be the much safer Union Berlin Kiel bet.
Judging by the course of the season so far, the promoted team has already proven several times that it allows far too many defensive chances to the opponent.
Union Berlin vs. Kiel: The “Storks” will strike!
I instinctively rejected the suggestion made by ChatGPT in his Union Berlin Kiel AI prediction that the “Eisern” will win by zero. Do you know why?
Kiel have scored in all 11 away games in the Bundesliga this season. This makes the visitors one of the only two clubs in the five major European leagues to have scored in all their away games – together with Liverpool (15 games).
Incidentally, the promoted side are only the second club to have scored in their first 11 away games in Bundesliga history, after 1. FC Köln in the inaugural season of 1963/64.
Kiel almost look like they’ll be relegated in the end!
I’m expecting Kiel to score on Sunday, but a win? That’s something completely different.
After all, Holstein Kiel have yet to win a single Bundesliga treble in the second half of the season (2 draws, 4 defeats) – a fate shared only by Heidenheim.
With just 13 points after 23 games, the “Storks” are even experiencing the worst season of a Bundesliga debutant since the three-point rule was introduced.
Incidentally, that is almost a guarantee of relegation! No team with a maximum of 13 points at this point has ever managed to stay in the Bundesliga
And with the sloppy defensive work of the “Storks”, it shouldn’t be long before even the mostly unsuccessful Union strikers get their chance.
After all, Holstein Kiel have the worst defense in the Bundesliga this season, having conceded 59 goals and only one clean sheet (1-0 against Heidenheim on matchday 9).
Only two other teams in the history of the Bundesliga have conceded as few goals in their first 23 games of a first division season: 1. FC Saarbrücken and Karlsruher SC in the 1963/64 Bundesliga season (1 each).
FCU, meanwhile, can look back on a strong statistic that you should also have on your radar. Because it immediately catches the eye!
Watch out: Union Berlin have an impressive record against promoted teams at the Alte Försterei in recent years. The Esiernen have not lost a single one of their 11 home games against league newcomers.
Even though the last game against a promoted team ended in defeat in Heidenheim, Union have never lost twice in a row against Bundesliga newcomers.
My Union Berlin – Kiel tip:
Union Berlin vs Holstein will be a turbulent game with many penalty area scenes. Kiel will probably be looking for an open exchange of blows and want to make an early offensive appearance.
However, the visitors may find it difficult to score many goals, while Union Berlin are likely to outplay their opponents with more precision and effectiveness in attack.
An exciting and evenly matched duel, together with a both teams meeting bet, remains my best Union Berlin Kiel tip for you this Sunday:
My tip: Both teams to score
