Sonntag, 10. September 2017

Fortuna Düsseldorf - Union Berlin

Fourth to get the better of first

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will miss first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again with a broken rib while Justin Toshiki Kinjo is not ready either after suffering knee injury, but Havard Nielsen is set to return shortly.

Union Berlin’s coach Jens Keller cannot count on the injured Kenny Prince Redondo and Dennis Daube, but Toni Leistner should be an option again after he missed the last game. Grischa Promel won’t be available, however, as he has to serve his suspension. Newly signed Atsuto Uchida who featured in the squad against Bielefeld might be given his debut here.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Justin Toshiki Kinjo (knee), Michael Rensing (broken rib), Havard Nielsen (muscle)

Union Berlin

Suspended: Grischa Promel

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kenny Prince Redondo (shoulder), Dennis Daube (knee), Toni Leistner (hamstring)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Dusseldorf managed to register their third win in a row when beating Sandhausen 2-1 away from home before the break. Rouwen Hennings and Ihlas Bebou both scored as the team outplayed their resolute opponents to strengthen their position at the top of the 2.Bundesliga. The clinical manner in which Rouwen Hennings took his goal after coming on as a 75th minute substitute did perhaps indicate that he has developed into a player who is ready to grab his chance this time around. Dusseldorf are one of four teams in the league who are still unbeaten, with three wins and one draw.

Union Berlin produced a dominant home performance against Bielefeld last time out, but they were unable to follow up their 4-3 victory over Holstein Kiel with another home success, with the game ending 1-1. Jens Keller’s side applied incessant pressure on the Arminia from the moment the game kicked off, but they found the net only once. Nevertheless, Union Berlin continued their unbeaten run, and they are also without a defeat in their last three away matches, with two wins and one draw.

Both teams are unbeaten so far this season, but the quality of the squads is different. League leaders Dusseldorf have surprised while Union Berlin were expected to play for promotion. The visitors do have the better squad on paper and I think they will clinch the three points here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUSSELDORF

Union Berlin have been the first team to concede in two of their last four league matches while Dusseldorf scored first in three games so far this season. They should be the first to find the net here again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf have lost only two of their last eight matches against Union Berlin at home.

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