Union Berlin vs Real Madrid Prediction: Los Blancos to make it six out of six in Group C

Bundesliga strugglers Union Berlin will attempt to spoil Real Madrid’s perfect group stage record when they welcome Los Blancos to the Olympiastadion on Tuesday.

Die Eisernen were in the midst of a 12-game losing sequence when they lost 1-0 at the Bernabeu back in September, but they should be buoyed by a 3-1 home win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

They will bid to put on a brave display against a Real Madrid side who lost ground in La Liga's title race last weekend and appear over-reliant on Jude Bellingham for their goals.

Team news

Union defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Danilho Doekhi are out through suspension and injury respectively while striker Sheraldo Becker is a doubt with a muscle problem.

This game offers coach Carlo Ancelotti a chance to rotate some fringe players into his squad as Real Madrid have already won the group to ensure they will be seeded in the round-of-16 draw.

Joselu, Nacho, Dani Ceballos and Nico Paz, who all came off the bench against Real Betis on Saturday, could start in place of Rodrygo, David Alaba, Luka Modric and Bellingham.

Vinicius Junior remains out with a thigh injury, Aurelien Tchouameni is nursing a gashed foot and Eduardo Camavinga will be absent due to a knee problem.

Match odds

Union Berlin can be backed at 11/4 to take all three points, while Real Madrid are available at 8/11 and the draw comes in at 11/4.

Real Madrid to win And Over 2.5 goals @ 7/5

Ancelotti is unlikely to leave many key players out in the wake of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis as this is a chance to make a quick return to winning ways.

Bellingham is one who he may want to wrap in cotton wool because the Englishman has been a talismanic figure for the club this season.

But there is enough quality in reserve to see off weakened opponents who have admittedly improved since Nenad Bjelica replaced Urs Fischer two games ago.

Union scored four goals and conceded only two across a creditable Champions League draw away to Sporting Braga and a first Bundesliga win since August against Monchengladbach.

They could get on the scoresheet here, but Real Madrid have hit two or more in five of their last six Champions League away trips and can do so again.

Half-Time Both Teams to Score Yes @ 5/2

Union must win and hope Braga lose in Naples to grab third spot — that would see them parachute into the Europa League play-off round.

So there is little point in the hosts coming out with a conservative gameplan.

That should lead to an action-packed opening and boost the prospects of both teams hitting the back of the net in the first half.

There have been goals for both teams before the break in two of Real’s last four European games while Union have also managed first-half strikes in their last two contests.

Joselu to score anytime @ 13/8

Bellingham is always the outstanding candidate to score in Real Madrid games, but Joselu could grab the limelight if the Englishman is rested on Tuesday.

The Spanish striker has struck just once in the Champions League this term, but he has featured in only 154 minutes of action.

In La Liga, Joselu has been scoring at a similar rate of just more than once every two full games, which suggests he could be a bit of value if he gets the nod to start on Tuesday.