Preview: Union Berlin’s fortress tested by Leipzig’s form machine
Berlin’s Stadion An der Alten Försterei will be buzzing on 12 December as FC Union Berlin host RB Leipzig in a clash that feels like form vs. temperament. Union arrive mired in inconsistency, occupying 12th place after 13 rounds with just 15 points. Their recent run reads like a cautionary tale: narrow home wins and heavy away defeats, a run that includes a 3-1 reverse at Wolfsburg and a 2-3 loss to Bayern within the last week. Union’s offensive output has been modest—16 goals across 13 matches—and defensive lapses have left them shipping 22. Leopold Querfeld emerged as Union’s top performer in the most recent loss, but the collective has struggled to convert pressure into consistent points.
RB Leipzig, by contrast, check every box for momentum. Second in the table with 29 points, Leipzig have 9 wins from 13 and have rediscovered their ruthless edge up front: 28 goals scored and a thumping 6-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt most recently, with Yan Diomande shining as the match’s standout. Leipzig’s away goal tally (10) and overall attacking numbers—an average of nearly 17 shots per game and 76 shots on target across the season—underscore a side that will not sit back. Their defensive record is respectable too, with 13 conceded and seven clean sheets so far, making them a balanced outfit capable of dictating tempo.
Tactical subplot and what to expect
Expect Leipzig to push early, exploiting Union’s home defensive vulnerabilities. Union create decent volume—shots inside the box and dangerous attacks suggest commitment in the final third—but their conversion and defensive organization have been unreliable. Recent head-to-head ended 0-0 in February, indicating these fixtures can turn tactical, yet Leipzig’s current form suggests they’ll be the more clinical side this time. Set-piece situations and transitional breaks could be decisive, especially if Union chase the game in the second half.
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Betting suggestion: RB Leipzig to win (1X2) — the away side’s superior form, potency in attack and recent 6-0 demolition of Eintracht make them the clearest value pick here at roughly 1.99. Stake cautiously and consider hedging if the match turns tight, but on form and numbers Leipzig represent the most logical single-market play.
