The Bundesliga is already in the short Christmas break. But there is a candy before the festival, because the second round of the DFB Cup is played during the week. Decorating the fir trees, for example, has to wait for the Union Berlin and SC Paderborn kickers, because both clubs face each other in the cup on Tuesday.
With the well-known bookmakers, the question of the favorite in this duel does not really arise. When a team from the Bundesliga receives a club from the lower house, anything but a home win is a big surprise. Therefore, in the match between Union Berlin and Paderborn, the prognosis is clearly that the home side will be successful.
The iron have established themselves sensationally in the Bundesliga and after a third of the current season even seem to be able to fight for a place in the international competitions. The Berliners are currently playing what is probably the best season in the club’s history.
Paderborn is only in the midfield as a relegated from the Bundesliga in the second division. Nevertheless, this season has shown that the East Westphalia have not lost their carefree. Steffen Baumgart will therefore prepare his team for a win in the capital, even if the odds comparison of the betting base suggests that a tip on a home win should be the best choice between Union Berlin and Paderborn.
Union Berlin :
Union Berlin is not only the surprise team in the Bundesliga, but probably in German football in general. The Köpenickers are currently in sixth place in the table of the House of Lords and are involved in the concert of the very big German clubs. The fact that the second season in a higher league is the most difficult has apparently not been accepted by the Iron.
There was only one defeat in the last twelve games, but this was conceded by Urs Fischer’s team in the derby at Hertha. Otherwise there was a draw even against the big Bavarians, with Union even having the chance of a win. This team will certainly not be underestimated this season.
Last weekend Borussia Dortmund was a guest at the Alte Försterei and again the Berliners managed to get a three. Taiwo Awoniyi scored the 1-0 after an hour. Borussia replied immediately with the equalizer, but Marvin Friedrich scored the winning goal ten minutes before the end against the big favorite.
The failures don’t seem to bother the Iron. With Max Kruse and Joel Pohjanpalo, two eminently important attackers are on the Bundesliga injured list. In addition, Anthony Ujah and Nico Schlotterbeck will be absent on Tuesday. In principle, there is no reason to change anything in the starting XI from last weekend, unless Urs Fischer decides on fresh staff.
Paderborn :
For Steffen Baumgart it is always something special when it comes to Union Berlin. The iron are his heart club. He worked at the Alte Försterei for two years and his wife is still working in the Köpenicker fan shop. In the Baumgart house, at least someone will have something to cheer about before Christmas.
That it will be the coach of SC Paderborn is a little less likely. In the last few weeks things have not been going well for East Westphalia. Only one of the last five games was won. In the ranking, the SCP is only in eleventh place. Therefore, in the cup game between Union Berlin and Paderborn, there is not much to suggest that the guests will be successful.
After all, the buck was knocked over last weekend. The Paderborn had traveled to the derby in Osnabrück. After half an hour, the SCP was in the majority after being sent off for VfL and used it after an hour with a hit from Sven Michel. Then Ron Schallenberg was also sent off, but with ten against ten Paderborn saved the narrow lead over time.
In terms of personnel, things couldn’t look any better at East Westphalia at the moment. The suspension for Ron Schallenberg only applies in the second division. This means that he could be used just like any other player. As it looks, Steffen Baumgart will have all players available on Tuesday.
