Read our Union Berlin vs Schalke prediction with betting tips, odds, and predicted lineups ahead of Friday's Bundesliga clash at the Alten Försterei stadium.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Match Summary
Competition | German Bundesliga |
|---|---|
Match Date | Friday 11 September 2026 |
Match Time | 19:30 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Berlin, Stadion An der Alten Försterei |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | BBCi |
Two sides propping up the lower end of the German Bundesliga table meet on Friday, with Union Berlin taking on Schalke at the Alten Försterei. This Union Berlin vs Schalke prediction points to an open, messy affair.
Union Berlin have made a rough start under Mauro Lustrinelli, shipping seven goals in their first two Bundesliga fixtures, including a heavy 4-0 defeat away at Bayer Leverkusen last time out.
Schalke are back in the top flight and remain stubborn without a goal, still waiting to score a league goal since promotion after holding reigning champions Bayern Munich to a goalless draw.
Union Berlin have drawn their last three home matches against Schalke in all competitions, with each of those games seeing under 2.5 goals, so history hints at a tight one here.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Form
Union Berlin sit 15th in the table and it has been a leaky opening, with seven goals conceded across their first two Bundesliga fixtures and a first-minute goal against them in that 4-0 loss at Leverkusen. There have been over 2.5 goals in their last eight Bundesliga games, so the entertainment keeps coming at both ends for Lustrinelli's side.
Schalke are 14th and their story is a defensive one, having failed to win their last five matches in the Bundesliga. The promoted side still cannot find the net since going up, yet the goalless draw with Bayern Munich showed the backline can frustrate, with goalkeeper Loris Karius the key man between the sticks.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Union Berlin: A. Markgraf (Injured/out), R. Skov (Injured/out), K. Imeri (Injured/doubtful), A. Ilic (Unfit), S. Nsoki (Unfit), O. Burke (Unfit), M. Friedrich (Unfit)
Schalke: R. Schallenberg (Suspended)
Union Berlin
Union Berlin have a lengthy list to manage, with Aljoscha Markgraf and Robin Skov both out injured and new signing Kastriot Imeri doubtful with a knock. Stanley Nsoki and Oliver Burke are back in training but are unlikely to feature until after the international break, while Lustrinelli may resist wholesale changes despite that heavy defeat last time out.
Schalke
Schalke have a cleaner bill of health, with Ron Schallenberg the only absentee as he serves the second instalment of a two-match suspension. Bryan Lasme and Adrian Gantenbein are back in full training, and there is a chance Junior Adamu is brought forward into the starting XI on Friday.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Predicted Lineup
Union Berlin
Formation: 4-4-2
Predicted Starting Lineup: Raab; Juranovic, Van der Bosch, Uduokhai, Rothe; Aebischer, Kemlein, Khedira, Burcu; Ljubicic, Latte Lath
Schalke
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Karius; Kuruçay, Katic, Becker; Ebimbe, El-Faouzi, Tanaka, Gosens; Aouchiche, Adamu; Sylla
Union Berlin vs Schalke Key Stats & Match Facts
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Union Berlin's last 8 games in the Bundesliga.
Union Berlin have drawn their last 3 home matches against Schalke in all competitions.
Union Berlin have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 3 home matches against Schalke in all competitions.
Schalke have failed to win their last 5 matches in the Bundesliga.
Union Berlin have had 5+ shots on target in 4 out of 6 matches against Schalke in the Bundesliga.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Home advantage nudges Union Berlin ahead as narrow favourites, but with Schalke stubborn at the back and Union leaking goals, this has the feel of a share of the spoils. We are calling a 1-1 draw. Union Berlin are the shorter price at 29/20 with Bet365, though the numbers suggest goals at both ends rather than a comfortable home win.
Best Bets
Back Over 2.5 Goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. The projection points to an open contest with 3.44 total goals forecast, and Union Berlin have seen over 2.5 goals in each of their last eight Bundesliga fixtures, so there is plenty backing the goals here.
Back 'Yes' in the Both Teams To Score market. With a projected 1.78 to 1.66 scoreline and both sides expected to find the net, the both-teams-to-score angle carries a solid case, especially given Union's leaky defence and Schalke's need to finally get off the mark.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Bet Builder
Our four-leg Union Berlin vs Schalke bet builder backs the home side to win, Emmanuel Latte Lath to score anytime, both teams to score and Dejan Ljubicic to be shown a card.
Union Berlin to win is the anchor, with the hosts having had 5+ shots on target in four of their last six meetings against Schalke and edging the market as narrow favourites.
Emmanuel Latte Lath leads the line as Union's attacking focal point, and with the home side pushing for goals he is a fair shout to find the net anytime.
Both teams to score fits the story of a leaky Union defence facing a Schalke side desperate to finally break their goal drought since promotion.
Dejan Ljubicic to be shown a card adds a punchy leg given the competitive midfield battles and the disciplinary risk that tends to come with them in this fixture.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 25/1 and is as short as 15.59/1 elsewhere.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Talking Points
The big question is whether Schalke can finally score. The promoted side have kept things tight, headlined by that goalless draw against Bayern Munich, and Loris Karius has been reliable between the posts after signing a contract extension through June 2028. Union Berlin, by contrast, are wide open, having conceded seven times in two games under Mauro Lustrinelli. If the hosts keep leaking goals, Schalke's search for a first strike since promotion could end here, which is why the goals markets look the most sensible way in.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Predictions FAQs
When is the Union Berlin vs Schalke German Bundesliga game?
The match kicks off at 19:30 UK time on Friday 11 September 2026.
Where is Union Berlin vs Schalke being played?
The match is being played at Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Where can I watch Union Berlin vs Schalke?
Union Berlin vs Schalke will be broadcast live on BBCi.
What competition is Union Berlin vs Schalke in?
This fixture is part of the German Bundesliga.
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