The DFB Pokal semifinals kick off this week with four teams fighting for the domestic cup in Germany. On Tuesday night, Hamburger will play Freiburg in the first of the two DFB Pokal semifinals. Wednesday night’s semifinal will see RB Leipzig battle Union Berlin.
RB Leipzig were the runners-up in the DFB Pokal last season, losing to Borussia Dortmund in the final. Die Roten Bullen have reached the DFB Pokal Final twice in their short existence. Union Berlin are unfancied to topple the energy-drink fuelled Red Bulls in the semifinals as Leipzig are the tournament’s favourite to lift the cup.
The semifinals of the DFB Pokal are single match ties. Therefore, neither side has the chance to rebound from a bad start with a second leg match. Union Berlin are on an excellent run of form versus RB Leipzig in league play. The Irons won their last two meetings with Leipzig in the Bundesliga and coach Urs Fischer will hope they can claim another win in what is arguably Union Berlin’s biggest match in their history.
RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin Betting Odds
Union Berlin reached the final of the DFB Pokal in 2020-21. The Irons were defeated by Schalke in the final 2-0. RB Leipzig were not even a glimmer in the eyes of German football fans at the time. Union Berlin reached the semifinals of this season Pokal tournament courtesy of a 1-0 win over Tuerkguecue Munich, 3-1 win in extra-time against Waldhof Mannheim, a 3-2 victory over city rival Hertha Berlin, and a 2-1 win over St. Pauli.
Union Berlin have an away record of 8W-5D-9L in all competitions this season. They are in excellent form having won each of their last three Bundesliga games leading into the semifinal. Union Berlin are at the best betting odds of 13/2 to upset RB Leipzig in the DFB Pokal semifinal with a win at full-time.
RB Leipzig are in brilliant form in all competitions. Die Roten Bullen are unbeaten in 14 straight games in all competitions. Each of their last three matches in all competitions finished as wins.
RB Leipzig won 1-0 against Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, which was a significant victory in the race for Champions League qualification. RB Leipzig’s best betting odds to win at full-time are at 8/17. Die Roten Bullen’s home record is 12W-5D-4L.
RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin Team News
Leipzig coach Domenico Tedesco has three players on the injury list heading into the match. Forward Yussuf Poulsen has a wrist injury and is a major doubt to make the squad. Midfielder Kevin Kampl is a major doubt due to physical discomfort. Midfielder Amadou Haidara has a knee injury and is ruled out of the match.
RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku is having a career season. The Frenchman has 30 goals in all competitions this season. Nkunku is likely to be RB Leipzig’s next big transfer sale with Paris Saint-Germain linked to his signature.
Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer has no new injury issues heading into the DFB Pokal semifinal. The Irons are led in goals by striker Taiwo Awoniyi with 16 goals in all competitions. The former Liverpool player is having an excellent season and could be on the wish list of fellow Bundesliga clubs in the offseason. No other Union Berlin player has more than seven goals.
RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin H2H
Union Berlin are in excellent form against RB Leipzig. The Irons won the reverse fixture versus RB Leipzig. Union Berlin won 2-1 at home thanks to goals from Awoniyi and Timo Baumgarti. The goals came on either side of a Nkunku strike for Leipzig.
Union Berlin have won back-to-back matches versus RB Leipzig. Both matches finished 2-1. Since 2014, RB Leipzig and Union Berlin have met nine times in all competitions. RB Leipzig have a head-to-head record of 5W-1D-3L versus Union Berlin all time.
Seven of the nine matches in all competitions between these teams finished with over 2.5 goals. Six of the last nine matches between these teams ended with both teams scoring goals.
RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin Predictions
Both teams to score: YES @ 1/1
The last two matches between Union Berlin and RB Leipzig finished with both teams scoring goals. Our betting tips prediction is for the trend to continue with both teams scoring on Wednesday night in the DFB Pokal semifinal. Six of the last nine matches between these teams in all competitions finished with both teams finding the back of the net. Two of Leipzig’s last five games in all competitions finished with both teams scoring. Two of Union’s last five games in all competitions saw both teams score.
Christopher Nkunku to score first @ 4/1
Christopher Nkunku is in excellent form and having a career season for the Red Bulls. The forward has 30 goals in all competitions this season. When these teams played earlier this season in the Bundesliga, Nkunku scored for RB Leipzig in the team’s 2-1 loss to Union Berlin. Nkunku has scored two goals in five all-time matches against Union Berlin. Our betting tips prediction is for Nkunku to score first.
Over 2.5 goals @ 31/40
Seven of the last nine matches in all competitions between RB Leipzig and Union Berlin finished with over 2.5 goals scored. That includes the teams’ last two meetings in the Bundesliga, which both finished 2-1 in favour of Union Berlin.
Two of Union Berlin’s last four matches in all competitions finished with over 2.5 goals scored. Two of RB Leipzig’s last five matches in all competitions finished with over 2.5 goals scored.
RB Leipzig have finished as runners-up twice in the DFB Pokal. Union Berlin finished runners-up just once. RB Leipzig are battling for trophies on two fronts. They could win a double with the DFB Pokal and the Europa League. Leipzig are the bookies’ favourite to win the Europa League and DFB Pokal. Our betting tips prediction is for Leipzig to take a step closer to their first-ever piece of major silverware with a semifinal win over Union Berlin.
