Dortmund vs Union Prediction 31 August 2025
🔊 Borussia Dortmund are once again asserting their championship ambitions, but they faltered in the opening round, letting a two-goal lead slip against St. Pauli with just five minutes to go. For a team aiming for the Bundesliga title, such slip-ups are unacceptable. In the second round, the Black and Yellows host Union Berlin. The Berlin side have never won in Dortmund (8 matches, 8 losses), but they did defeat the holders of the German Cup, Stuttgart, in their first match. This serves as a warning: underestimating the visitors could be costly. Nevertheless, at home, Borussia must secure all three points; otherwise, their championship talk will remain just that-talk.
Head-to-Head
📊 The head-to-head history clearly favors Dortmund: the "Black and Yellows" have secured 10 victories compared to Union's 4. The home advantage is particularly telling-Union have yet to earn a point at Signal Iduna Park. Last season, Dortmund delivered a crushing blow with a 6-0 victory.
Head-to-head statistics Dortmund - Union

Borussia Dortmund Team Overview
🟡 Borussia drew with St. Pauli in their Bundesliga opener (3-3). The match was a tough one: the Dortmund side found their rhythm only after 20 minutes and took the lead ten minutes before halftime thanks to a goal from Serhou Guirassy. Just four minutes later, Guirassy had the chance to double the lead but missed a penalty. In the second half, St. Pauli equalized in the 50th minute, but by the 67th minute, Waldemar Anton put the "Black and Yellows" ahead once again. Julian Brandt then scored a stunning goal in the 74th minute to make it 3-1. However, the finale turned dramatic: defender Mane was sent off in the 85th minute for a last-man foul, with the opponent converting the penalty to make it 2-3, and just three minutes later, St. Pauli equalized. In the remaining stoppage time, Borussia looked stunned and failed to regain control of the game.
Match Results: Borussia Dortmund

Union Team Overview
🔴 In the opening round, the Berliners triumphed over Stuttgart (2-1) at a packed "An der Alten Försterei" stadium. In his debut top-flight match, newcomer Ilyas Ansah, who joined from Paderborn, scored both goals in the first half. Union couldn't extend their lead in the second half and conceded a goal four minutes from time, yet they managed to hold on for a well-earned three points. The team showcased organized and disciplined play. The start of the season demonstrated that the Berliners are not only capable of controlling the game on their home turf but also of withstanding pressure from strong opponents, maintaining stability and resilience. The question remains whether the team is ready for the upcoming challenge at "Signal Iduna Park".
Match Results: Union
Latest news
Borussia Dortmund
🎙 Head coach Niko Kovac after the match: "We weren't focused for the entire 90 minutes. We led 3-1 and capitalized on our chances, but didn't fight as hard as we should have. In the end, we had to settle for just one point. To me, it was a clear penalty (Mane's foul), but it's not just about that incident. We then conceded another goal from 18 meters out, even though there were enough players in position to block the opponent. Today was a day when we didn't deserve more than a draw."
📝 The club's management has extended Niko Kovac's contract. The new deal for the 52-year-old coach runs until the summer of 2027. Kovac took charge of the "Bees" last winter and managed to stabilize the team: under his leadership, Dortmund finished fourth in the Bundesliga, earning them a spot back in the Champions League.
🛑 Jude Bellingham's father has clashed with Borussia Dortmund, and the club has responded. Jude was substituted at halftime in the first match of the season, which greatly displeased his parents, reports Bild. After the game, his parents sought an explanation from Niko Kovac regarding their son's playing time. According to sources, Jude's father, Mark, was confrontational and wanted to have a heated discussion with the coach. This meeting did not occur, but he expressed all his grievances to Borussia's sporting director Sebastian Kehl. Following this, Dortmund have banned players' relatives from being near the team's dressing rooms.
💰 Borussia have strengthened their squad with two players from Chelsea. The Dortmund club officially announced the signing of Carney Chukwuemeka. The 21-year-old midfielder is already familiar to "Bees" fans: he played for the team on loan in the second half of last season and participated in the FIFA Club World Cup. Now Chukwuemeka has become a permanent Borussia player, signing a long-term contract until June 30, 2030. Additionally, Dortmund have bolstered their defense by bringing in 20-year-old Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino on loan from Chelsea. The agreement runs until June 30, 2026, and aims to address issues in central defense where the team has faced personnel challenges.
❌ The team is dealing with significant defensive losses. Besides the suspended Filippo Mane (who will miss one match), Emre Can, Niklas Süle, and Nico Schlotterbeck will be unavailable for upcoming games. Attacking player Julien Duranville is also out due to a shoulder injury.
Union
🎙 Team coach Steffen Baumgart after the match: "The way the guys performed today and played our game was impressive. Whether in attack or defense, we consistently held the advantage. Of course, we got a bit lucky today with the woodwork saving us a couple of times. Nonetheless, we put in a lot of effort and were rewarded with this victory."
📝 Right-back Josip Juranović has extended his contract with the club and will continue his career in Berlin. Additionally, the team has bolstered the opposite flank of their defense by signing Derrick Köhn. The 26-year-old left-back joins permanently from Galatasaray and played 30 matches in the Bundesliga for Werder last season on loan.
❌ In the upcoming match, Lucas Tousart, Stanley Nsoki, Livan Bourjoux, and Oluwaseun Ogbemudia will be unavailable due to injuries.
🟨 Referee and Cards
The main referee for the match is Daniel Schlager, who averages 3.8 yellow cards per game. We recommend considering the Union's individual total under 2.5 yellow cards, which has been successful in 8 of Union Berlin's last 9 matches.
⚽ Goal Prediction
Borussia have secured 6 home victories against Union in the league (5-0, 2-0, 4-2, 2-1, 4-2, 6-0). The average total goals in all encounters between the teams is 4.75. Based on this statistic, it's reasonable to opt for a bet on over 2.5 total goals with favorable odds.
🚩 Corner Prediction
At Signal Iduna Park, Borussia are likely to have the upper hand over Union, including in set pieces. Nevertheless, we suggest considering the total corners under 10.5. This bet has come through in the last 6 head-to-head matches in Dortmund and in 6 of Union's last 7 games.
Editorial Prediction
Borussia Dortmund hold a clear edge over Union Berlin: their strong head-to-head record, dominant performances at Signal Iduna Park, and impressive scoring ability suggest a confident victory for the hosts is on the cards. Despite some injuries, the attacking prowess of the "Black and Yellows" combined with the passionate support of their fans puts significant pressure on the visitors. Union have never won in Dortmund, and previous encounters underline the high-scoring nature of these clashes. Prediction: Borussia Dortmund win with a -1 handicap.
