With the European soccer season coming to a close some of the more interesting matchups are the ones where relegation or promotion is at stake. The German Bundesliga has an interesting playoff format for the third lowest finishing team on the table. While the bottom two teams are automatically relegated the third lowest finisher gets to fight for their top tier survival. Their opponent in this matchup? The third ranked team from the lower division, in this case 2.Bundesliga. In the lower division, the top two teams are automatically promoted meaning that FC Koln and SC Paderborn 07 will compete at the top level of German football next year. In third place, however, FC Union Berlin will have to fight to be elevated against an opponent desperate to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That brings us to the specific matchup in this relegation playoff between FC Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart. Berlin had a very good season and was unlucky not to be automatically promoted to the Bundesliga. They finished tied for second with 57 points but SC Paderborn went through on goal differential. Then again, it could be worse–although FC Koln was a solid first place team the next four teams on the table were separated by a combined total of two points. With the fourth and fifth teams receiving nothing beyond the right to come back next season and give it another go at least Union Berlin has the opportunity to control their own short term destiny. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
VfB Stuttgart was one of the profound disappointments in the Bundesliga this season. In 2017-2018, they finished in 7th place just two points out of a Europa League berth. One year later, they’re fighting for their top tier survival despite having essentially the same roster as in the previous campaign. Truth be told, there were some problematic signs despite their 7th place finish in 2017-2018. Many of their statistical characteristics were typical of a lower division side and not a team worthy of competing in European competition. They finished with a record of 15-6-13 that year and the 13 losses is excessive for a team at this level. In fact, six teams that finished below them on the table also had 13 losses. The Stuttgart goal differential was exactly level meaning that they allowed as many goals as they scored. This year they were horrible defensively allowing 70 goals and finishing with a -38 differential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Late in this season, Stuttgart was in desperation mode and they responded strong. Youth coach Nico Willig took over the top team and that paid immediate dividends. They were able to avoid direct relegation by scrapping home wins over Borussia Monchengladback and Wolfsburg as the season wound down. What was particularly hopeful about these results was the strong commitment to defense resulting in a pair of clean sheet victories. History is also in the corner of Stuttgart–this is the tenth season for this type of promotion\/relegation playoff series with the Bundesliga side maintaining their upper division status in 8 of the 9 previous including six straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Union Berlin has never played in the Bundesliga so they’re in somewhat uncharted waters. Their biggest liability this year was poor play in away games so they’ll face tough going in the second leg of this matchup in Berlin unless they make a strong effort in this game. The most salient question concerns Stuttgart’s leaky defense–was their late season improvement legitimate or just a function of desperation? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Union Berlin has a real chance here although Stuttgart is favored on the German soccer betting odds<\/a> board due to the historical performance of the Bundesliga side. Both teams should be able to score and we’ll place our bets accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n BET UNION BERLIN +350 OVER VFB STUTTGART
BET UNION BERLIN\/VFB STUTTGART OVER 2.5 GOALS +110
BET UNION BERLIN\/VFB STUTTGART BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE–YES -115<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n