Levi Rothermund
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Union Berlin welcome Schalke 04 to An der Alten Försterei with both clubs sitting near the bottom of the Bundesliga table after just two rounds. Neither side has found rhythm yet this season, and honestly, this fixture reads more like a relegation six-pointer than a mid-table scrap. The interesting wrinkle here: Schalke haven’t scored a single competitive league goal so far this campaign, despite fielding a squad packed with proven finishers.
Marin Ljubičić has been Union’s most reliable attacking outlet lately, netting twice and setting up another in his last three appearances. On the other side, Edin Džeko keeps producing even with limited minutes, scoring twice in just 80 minutes across his last four outings. Watch him if he comes off the bench.
Hot stat: Schalke 04 have gone two full league matches without scoring a single goal (0-3 aggregate), a worrying drought for a squad that includes Džeko, Sylla and Adamu.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Bundesliga 2026/27, Regular Season |
| 🏟 Venue: | An der Alten Försterei, Berlin |
| 🗓️ Date: | 11.09.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 20:30 CEST |
Union Berlin vs Schalke 04 prediction
We lean toward Union Berlin here, mostly because home advantage matters and Schalke arrive winless in five straight matches across all competitions. It’s not a confident pick though. Union themselves have been shaky, shipping seven goals in just two league games this season, so backing them to win doesn’t mean backing a clean sheet.
Union’s numbers show a side that fouls at a moderate rate (41 fouls across the last five matches) but struggles defensively with poor pass accuracy at times. Schalke, meanwhile, keep possession better (1930 passes over the same stretch versus Union’s 957) yet convert far less of that control into shots on target. Fewer fouls from Schalke (30 total) and steady discipline suggest they won’t concede cheap set-piece chances, though their finishing has gone missing entirely in league play.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Union Berlin to win either half |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Union Berlin’s recent run tells a story of inconsistency. They drew, won twice, lost twice, and drew once more over their last five matches, but the most recent outing was rough: a 0-4 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. Before that they shared six goals in a wild 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt. The pattern is clear, Union can score but leak goals just as easily.
Schalke 04’s form is arguably worse on paper, zero wins in their last five with two draws and three losses. Their last match, a scoreless draw against Bayern Munich, actually showed defensive discipline that Union lacks. The problem is Schalke also failed to score in that game, continuing a troubling pattern that started with a 0-3 loss to FC Augsburg before that.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
Union Berlin and Schalke 04 have not met in a competitive fixture recently based on available records, so there is no head-to-head table to draw from this time.
🚨Check out our dedicated Union Berlin vs Schalke 04 stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Union Berlin the favourite
- Moneyline Union Berlin 2.25 | Schalke 04 3.00
- Draw 3.50
Bookmakers give Union Berlin a modest edge, roughly 42% implied probability, with Schalke sitting at 32% and the draw pulling 26%. That gap feels fair to us. Union’s home comfort and Schalke’s total inability to score in the league so far justify the pricing, though the draw price looks a touch generous given how open both defenses have been.
Possible Starting Lineups
Union Berlin possible starting eleven
- GK: Matheo Raab
- DF: Josip Juranović, Leopold Querfeld, Zeno Van Den Bosch, Tom Rothe
- MF: Rani Khedira, Aljoscha Kemlein, András Schäfer, Woo-Yeong Jeong, Michel Aebischer
- FW: Marin Ljubičić
Raab keeps the gloves based on recent minutes, and the back four of Juranović, Querfeld, Van Den Bosch and Rothe has logged the most consistent playing time. Khedira and Kemlein sit as the double pivot in a 4-2-3-1, shielding a back line that has looked exposed lately. Ljubičić leads the line alone up top, and he’s the man defenders need to track given his recent goal returns.
Schalke 04 possible starting eleven
- GK: Loris Karius
- DF: Timo Becker, Nikola Katić, Hassan Kurucay, Vitalie Becker
- MF: Soufiane El-Faouzi, Satoshi Tanaka, Adil Aouchiche, Dejan Ljubičić, Junior Chukwubuike Adamu
- FW: Moussa Sylla
Karius remains first choice between the posts, and the back four built around Timo Becker and Katić has featured in every recent match. El-Faouzi and Tanaka anchor midfield with strong interception numbers, while Aouchiche and Dejan Ljubičić supply creativity ahead of them. Sylla leads the attack in a mirrored 4-2-3-1, though Schalke’s real hope for a goal might still come from Džeko off the bench.
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Union Berlin. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
We think Union Berlin edge this one at home, but not by much. Their defense has been leaky enough that Schalke, even in poor scoring form, should manage at least one goal. Maybe a 2-1 scoreline captures it best. Union’s home comfort and slightly sharper finishing give them the nod, while Schalke’s possession-heavy but toothless approach keeps them from truly threatening a win. Our punters lean toward Union Berlin to win with both teams finding the net, and corners flowing given both sides’ attacking intent down the flanks.
