Union Berlin vs FC Schalke 04 — Tips & Analysis

Under 3: Schalke have not scored a single Bundesliga goal yet, and that is the simplest reason to want a quiet game here. They held Bayern Muenchen to 0-0 last time out and lost 0-3 before that. A promoted side that defends deep and carries no threat is not the sort to drag a game into a shootout. Schalke let in just over a goal a game, so they keep things tight at their own end too. Union are not much livelier right now. They have tied three of their five home games and are missing five players, including the defenders Friedrich, Markgraf and Nsoki. A patched up back line usually means a careful, slow evening. The head to head says the same thing. Four of the last six meetings ended level, at 0-0, 0-0, 1-1 and 1-1, and those six games averaged just over 2 goals in total. Both teams sit on one point after two rounds and both will take another rather than lose it. A 1-1 is the likeliest score, and that is the game we are betting on. Now the honest part. Union's own games have been wild, with 10 of their last 11 producing 3 or more goals. If that makeshift defense cracks early, this could open up fast. We accept that risk because Schalke have shown nothing going forward, and we want the low scoring game.