Union Berlin vs Cologne Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

Union Berlin vs Cologne Game Preview

Our Union Berlin vs Cologne prediction leans toward the visitors in a heated Bundesliga matchup. Cologne visit Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Sunday, with both clubs stuck in the bottom half.

Union sit in the relegation zone despite going unbeaten in their last three Bundesliga games. Back-to-back league ties with Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg show grit, but goals remain scarce.

Cologne have won just one of their last six Bundesliga games. They have also lost every league outing on the road this season, so Tuesday's cup rout needs backing up.

Cologne won 5-0 in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, but Union are undefeated in their last five home games against Cologne in all competitions. Something has to give.

Union Berlin vs Cologne Recent Results

Union have steadied in the Bundesliga, unbeaten in their last three league games, but the attack has been blunt and low-scoring. The DFB-Pokal was a different story, as Cologne buried them 5-0 on Tuesday. Emmanuel Latte Lath is expected back in the XI, and Union badly need his presence up top to turn tight games into wins.

Cologne's league form has been flat, with just one win from their last six Bundesliga games. The DFB-Pokal rout of Union showed a much sharper side, and that is the version the hosts must fear. Saïd El Mala is the attacker to watch, a high-volume shooter who gives this front line its edge, with Marius Bülter alongside him.

Union Berlin vs Cologne Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Union Berlin: Andrik Markgraf (Injured/out), Felix Uduokhai (Suspended), Stanley Nsoki (Unfit/out), Andrej Ilic (Unfit/out), Josip Juranović (Unfit/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 (Unfit/out)

Union Berlin

The Union Berlin vs Cologne lineups start with a boost for the hosts. Emmanuel Latte Lath is expected back in the starting XI, and Marvin Friedrich is fit and available after making the bench in midweek. Felix Uduokhai is suspended for two games after his red card, so the probable back four leans on Zeno Van den Bosch and Leopold Querfeld in the middle.

Cologne

Ragnar Ache will not be available for selection in time for Sunday, and Cologne have a crowded treatment room, with Thijs Dallinga and Ellyes Skhiri among the injured. René Wagner is not expected to make changes after Tuesday's dominant win, so the probable XI keeps Saïd El Mala and Marius Bülter together up front.

Union Berlin vs Cologne Predicted Lineup

Union Berlin

Formation: 4-4-2 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Frederik Rønnow; Janik Haberer, Zeno Van den Bosch, Leopold Querfeld, Tom Rothe; Woo-yeong Jeong, András Schäfer, Rani Khedira, Michel Aebischer; Tim Skarke, Emmanuel Latte Lath

Cologne

Formation: 3-5-2 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Marvin Schwäbe; Tom Krauß, Joël Schmied, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey; Alessio Castro-Montes, Mikey Moore, Paul Okon-Engstler, Linton Maina, Borna Sosa; Saïd El Mala, Marius Bülter

Union Berlin vs Cologne Key Stats & Game Facts

• Cologne have received 3+ cards in 3 of their last 3 games vs Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
• There have been 29+ shots taken in 5 of Cologne's last 7 games in the Bundesliga.
• Marius Bülter has won 3+ fouls in 4 of his last 4 appearances in the Bundesliga.
• Christopher Trimmel has assisted in 2 of his last 3 appearances vs Cologne in the Bundesliga.
• Ellyes Skhiri has made 3+ tackles in 3 of his last 5 appearances vs Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, though he is injured for this one.

Union Berlin vs Cologne Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Cologne get the nod. Union sit in the relegation zone with an attack that struggles to turn chances into goals, while Cologne carry the sharper forward line, led by Saïd El Mala and Marius Bülter. The visitors are slight favorites, and we expect goals at both ends of a messy, physical afternoon in Berlin, with Cologne's extra quality in the final third making the difference.

Best Picks

Cologne on the Moneyline. The visitors are the slight favorites over Union Berlin. This is a play on Cologne in the Moneyline market, and it leads our Union Berlin vs Cologne best picks. The projections give Cologne a 40% win probability, a touch above what the price implies, which is where the value sits. Union have won just 3 of their last 10 games against all opponents, and a blunt attack is a shaky base for holding off a confident visitor.

Both Teams To Score: Yes This is the Yes side of the Both Teams To Score market. The projections put both teams scoring at 52.6%, which fits a Cologne win with Union still landing a blow. Attacking set pieces are the hosts' biggest strength, and defending set pieces is a clear Cologne weakness, so Union have a route to goal even on a tough day.

Union Berlin vs Cologne Same Game Parlay

Our Union Berlin vs Cologne same game parlay picks lean into the physical side of this matchup, with two Union card legs, a Cologne shooting prop and a Union midfield fouls line.

Janik Haberer to be shown a card. The right back has gone into the book in every one of his last 3 Bundesliga appearances, and Cologne's left-sided attack will keep testing him.

Saïd El Mala over 2.5 in the Player Shots market. His last 4 Bundesliga appearances have all featured 3+ shots from him, and the volume keeps coming.

Over 2.5 in the Total Home Team Cards market. Union have received 2+ cards in 7 of their last 7 Bundesliga games, and their aggressive style invites the referee's attention.

Rani Khedira over 1.5 in the Player Fouls market. The midfielder has cleared this line across each of his last 4 games, and he will be busy chasing Cologne's runners.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

Union Berlin vs Cologne Talking Points

The sideline storyline writes itself. René Wagner, assistant coach Kevin McKenna and forward Marius Bülter all return to Union's home ground as former Union personnel, while Union managing director Horst Heldt previously held management positions at Cologne. On the field, watch the dead balls: attacking set pieces are Union's top strength, and defending them is a Cologne weakness. Flip it around, and Cologne's love of attacking down the left meets a Union side that struggles against attacks down the wings. Mauro Lustrinelli has already faced scrutiny over Union's lack of goals this season, and another blank would only turn up the heat.

Union Berlin vs Cologne Predictions FAQs

When is the Union Berlin vs Cologne Bundesliga game?

The game is on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 9:30 AM ET / 6:30 AM PT.

Where is Union Berlin vs Cologne being played?

The game is played at Stadion An der Alten Försterei in Berlin.

Which Union Berlin players are missing for the game?

Andrik Markgraf is injured and Felix Uduokhai is suspended. Stanley Nsoki, Andrej Ilic and Josip Juranović are listed as unfit.

What formation is Cologne expected to use?

Cologne are predicted to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Marvin Schwäbe in goal.

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