The Matchday 15 fixture in the Bundesliga between Cologne and Union Berlin will take place on December 20 at the RheinEnergieStadion. Cologne vs. Union Berlin: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Cologne
In the last round, Lukas Kwasniok's side were beaten 0-2 away by Bayer Leverkusen. As a result, Cologne extended their winless run in the Bundesliga to five matches (2 draws, 3 defeats). It is also worth noting that the club have failed to score in only two matches so far this season. In the table, Cologne sit tenth with 16 points.
- At least three goals were scored in 5 of Cologne's last 7 home Bundesliga matches.
- The club have conceded in eight of their previous league matches.
- Cologne failed to score more than one goal in 9 of their last 11 Bundesliga matches.
Predicted lineup for Cologne (3-4-3)*
Marvin Schwäbe – Rav van den Berg, Eric Martel, Sebastian Sebulonsen – Jan Thielmann, Tom Krauß, Denis Huseinbašić, Jakub Kamiński – Said El Mala, Luca Waldschmidt, Marius Bülter.
Defenders Timo Hübers, Joel Schmid and Luca‑Jannis Kilián, as well as midfielder Said El Mala, will miss the game through injury.
Union Berlin
In the last round, Steffen Baumgart's side beat Leipzig 3-1 at home. That was only Union's second win in recent league action (2 draws, 3 defeats). The team have failed to keep a clean sheet in 16 of their previous 19 Bundesliga matches, but they have extended their scoring run in the league to five matches. In the table, the Berliners sit eighth with 18 points.
- The team failed to score more than one goal in 7 of their last 9 away Bundesliga matches.
- The club conceded in 7 of their previous 8 away league matches.
- Union failed to win the second half in six of their last away Bundesliga matches (3 draws, 3 defeats).
Predicted lineup for Union (3-4-3)*
Frederik Rønnow – Danilo, Leopold Querfeld, Diogo Leite – Rani Khedira, Janik Haberer, Aljoscha Kemlein, Derrick Köhn – Ilyas Ansah, Jung Woo‑yeong, Oliver Burke.
Midfielder Robert Skov is injured. Midfielder Janik Haberer will miss the game through suspension.
Referee
Christian Dingert (Germany)
Matches – 18 (Bundesliga, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 63;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 17%.
Cologne vs Union Berlin: Match Prediction
Since their return to the Bundesliga, Cologne have looked solid, favouring an attacking approach and causing few issues in front of goal. In six home matches this season Lukas Kwasniok's side have yet to keep a clean sheet, while scoring 14 goals at the RheinEnergieStadion – only four clubs have a better home return.
Union are inconsistent on the road and are often undone by defensive lapses. In their last 19 away league fixtures they have kept just three clean sheets, and in ten of those matches they conceded at least two goals. This season Union have conceded 12 goals in six away Bundesliga games.
I expect the hosts to be productive in this meeting, and my prediction: Cologne to score over 1 goal
* For each team the starting XI shown is the one used in their previous match in the competition.
