Prediction FC Union Berlin vs VfB Stuttgart 2025/2026 – Betting Tips for the Bundesliga on 23/08/2025

Match preview — Stimmung in Köpenick ahead of the opener

The Bundesliga curtain-raiser at Stadion An der Alten Försterei on 23 August promises a lively welcome to the 2025/2026 season. FC Union Berlin host VfB Stuttgart in a clash that pits Union’s eye-catching pre-season firepower against Stuttgart’s resilient finish to last season. With Robert Hartmann appointed as referee and a compact crowd of 22,012 possible at the Hämmerlingstraße venue, atmosphere and intensity should be high as both sides look to stamp early authority on round one.

Union arrive with an eye-catching string of recent results in the build-up. Their previous matches show a team carving out goals with authority — massive wins such as 5-0 and 9-1 punctuate a preparation that featured more victories than setbacks. The short form line reads W-D-W-W-W-W-L-D-D-D, and a 5-0 DFB Pokal win over FC Gütersloh on 15 August underlined their attacking threat, where Andrej Ilic claimed top billing with a best player rating of 8.47. That kind of offensive rhythm will have the Köpenick faithful dreaming of an explosive start.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, come off a narrow Super Cup defeat to FC Bayern München but showed enough in recent months to suggest they remain dangerous. Their end-of-season sequence featured several decisive wins — 4-0 at home to FC Augsburg and a tight 3-2 success away at RB Leipzig — and the final sample of form reads L-W-W-W-W-L-D-L-W-W, highlighting a side that can both score and respond under pressure. Jamie Leweling earned plaudits in the Super Cup outing with an 8.06 rating despite the loss, and Stuttgart’s late-season momentum cannot be ignored.

Tactical expectations and head-to-head spice

When these two met in April, fireworks followed: an extraordinary 4-4 draw in the Bundesliga that underlined how open their encounters can be. That result — eight goals in one match — will linger in minds on both sides and suggests neither team shies away from going forward. With Union’s recent multi-goal victories and Stuttgart’s penchant for finishing chances, expect a lively tactical duel rather than a cautious, low-tempo affair. The bookmakers currently edge Stuttgart as favourites on the 1X2 market, but the history and recent form point strongly towards entertainment between the sticks.

Betting suggestion

Taking into account Union’s goal-heavy pre-season, Stuttgart’s recent ability to score in decisive fixtures and that last meeting produced eight goals, the most compelling market here is the goal market. Back Over 2.5 goals — that selection captures the likely open nature of this fixture and aligns with the recent evidence both teams have provided. As always, consider stake sizing responsibly and factor in match-day news, but based on the available data, Over 2.5 goals is the recommended play.