Union Berlin vs Cologne predictions, lineups and odds. Get team news, probable line-ups and bet builder tips for Sunday's Bundesliga clash before kick-off.
Union Berlin vs Cologne Match Summary
Competition | German Bundesliga |
|---|---|
Match Date | Sunday 1 November 2026 |
Match Time | 14:30 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Berlin, Stadion An der Alten Försterei |
Union Berlin vs Cologne is a Bundesliga rematch with an edge, coming just days after Cologne put five past Union in the DFB-Pokal. That result frames our Union Berlin vs Cologne prediction.
Mauro Lustrinelli's Union sit 17th, deep in the relegation zone. The table looks grim, but this is a direct, aggressive side who make life messy for anyone visiting the Alten Försterei.
Cologne sit 14th, and no changes are expected from René Wagner after Tuesday's dominant win. Their league form has been far flimsier than that cup night suggested.
Honours are even across the previous meetings, with two wins apiece and two draws. Union are also unbeaten in their last five home matches against Cologne in all competitions.
Union Berlin vs Cologne Form
Union have gone unbeaten in their last three Bundesliga games, so the league picture is not quite as bleak as the table suggests. The cup was a different story, as Cologne ran riot in midweek. Set pieces carry this side, with five of their opening six league goals coming from dead balls, and Rani Khedira anchors a stubborn engine room.
Cologne have won just one of their last six Bundesliga matches, which makes the cup rout look like an outlier rather than a trend. There is still bite up front, though. Saïd El Mala is the standout, a forward who shoots on sight, while Marius Bülter draws fouls alongside him. Winning the ball back is their real strength.
Union Berlin vs Cologne Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Union Berlin: Andrik Markgraf (Injured/out), Felix Uduokhai (Suspended), Stanley Nsoki (Injured/out), Andrej Ilic (Injured/out), Josip Juranović (Injured/out)
Cologne: Imad Rondić (Injured/out), Timo Hübers (Injured/out), Rav van den Berg (Injured/out), Thijs Dallinga (Injured/out), Ellyes Skhiri (Injured/out), Ragnar Ache (Injured/out)
Union Berlin
Emmanuel Latte Lath is expected to return to the starting XI, partnering Tim Skarke in a probable 4-4-2. Marvin Friedrich is back fit and available after making the bench in midweek, while Felix Uduokhai serves a suspension following a red card. Janik Haberer is at right-back in the probable XI.
Cologne
Absences shape Cologne's side of the Union Berlin vs Cologne lineups. Ragnar Ache will not be available in time, and a long injury list includes Ellyes Skhiri and Thijs Dallinga. No changes are expected after Tuesday's dominant win, so Saïd El Mala and Marius Bülter lead the line in a probable 3-5-2.
Union Berlin vs Cologne Predicted Lineup
Union Berlin
Formation: 4-4-2
Predicted Starting Lineup: Frederik Rønnow; Janik Haberer, Leopold Querfeld, Zeno Van den Bosch, Tom Rothe; Woo-yeong Jeong, Rani Khedira, András Schäfer, Michel Aebischer; Tim Skarke, Emmanuel Latte Lath
Cologne
Formation: 3-5-2
Predicted Starting Lineup: Marvin Schwäbe; Tom Krauß, Joël Schmied, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey; Alessio Castro-Montes, Paul Okon-Engstler, Mikey Moore, Linton Maina, Borna Sosa; Saïd El Mala, Marius Bülter
Union Berlin vs Cologne Key Stats & Match Facts
Cologne have failed to score in 5 of their last 7 Bundesliga matches against Union Berlin.
Union Berlin have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 Bundesliga matches against Cologne.
There have been 5+ cards in 3 of the last 3 Bundesliga meetings between Cologne and Union Berlin.
Cologne have received 3+ cards in 3 of their last 3 Bundesliga matches against Union Berlin.
There have been 10+ shots on target in 6 of Cologne's last 7 Bundesliga matches.
Union Berlin vs Cologne Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Cologne to edge it, rated at 40% to win with Union and the draw trailing behind. The projected total of 2.59 goals points to a contained afternoon rather than a shootout. Union's set pieces will keep them honest, but Cologne's ball-winning and midweek momentum shape our Union Berlin vs Cologne best bets.
Best Bets
Cologne to win, in the Win Market. They are the model's favourites against a Union Berlin side that sits 17th in the table. Our rating puts them ahead of what the price implies, so there is modest value here. Union are also without Felix Uduokhai through suspension and Josip Juranović, who is unfit, and Cologne have already shown this week that they can carve this defence open.
Under 3.5 goals, in the Total Goals Over/Under market. It fits a match the model projects to have a moderate number of goals. Union's last three Bundesliga games have all finished under 2.5 goals. Our numbers rate this line at 73.8%, ahead of the implied probability in the price, and Cologne are short of firepower with Ache and several other forwards missing.
Union Berlin vs Cologne Bet Builder
Our Union Berlin vs Cologne bet builder tips lean into a messy, physical fixture, combining a Haberer booking, Union cards, El Mala shots and Khedira fouls at 15/1 with Bet365.
Janik Haberer to be shown a card. He has been carded in 3 of his last 3 Bundesliga appearances, and filling in at right-back against a Cologne side who love attacking down the left is hardly a calming brief.
Saïd El Mala over 2.5 shots. The forward has attempted 3+ shots in 4 of his last 4 Bundesliga appearances, and with Ache and Dallinga out, the shooting duties fall squarely on him.
Union Berlin over 2.5 home team cards. They have received 2+ cards in 7 of their last 7 Bundesliga matches, and this is an aggressive side by nature.
Rani Khedira over 1.5 fouls. The engine room enforcer has cleared this line in each of his last four outings, and chasing Cologne's midfield runners will only add to his workload.
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 Cologne Talking Points
The big question is whether Union can turn their one genuine weapon into goals. Attacking set pieces are their standout strength, and defending them is a soft spot for Cologne, so every corner and free-kick will feel like an event. In the Union Berlin vs Cologne betting odds, Union are 7/4 with Betfair Sportsbook to bounce back, but they rarely keep the ball and struggle to finish what they create. Relying on dead balls is a thin plan against a Cologne side who are good at stealing possession, and El Mala is the man most likely to punish any loose touch.
Union Berlin vs Cologne Predictions FAQs
When is the Union Berlin vs Cologne German Bundesliga game?
The match is on Sunday 1 November 2026 at 14:30 UK time.
Where is Union Berlin vs Cologne being played?
The match is played at Stadion An der Alten Försterei in Berlin.
What competition is Union Berlin vs Cologne in?
It is a German Bundesliga fixture.
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