2. Bundesliga preview: SC Paderborn 07 vs. 1. FC Magdeburg

2. Bundesliga preview: SC Paderborn 07 vs. 1. FC Magdeburg

Sunday’s clash in North-Rhine Westphalia carries significant weight at both ends of the 2. Bundesliga table. With promotion aspirations on one side and relegation concerns on the other, three points here could prove pivotal for either club.

Paderborn have been one of the division’s standout performers under Ralf Kettemann this season, earning widespread praise for both their results and expansive style of play. Currently sitting second, just one point adrift of leaders Schalke, they arrive in excellent form, unbeaten in their last eight league matches.

That resilience was on display last weekend in Fürth. After a cagey, goalless first half, Paderborn stepped up after the break, securing a controlled 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Stefano Marino and Filip Bilbija.

Magdeburg, meanwhile, have breathed new life into their campaign at a crucial moment. Following a dismal run of one win in eight that dragged them into the bottom two, they have responded with back-to-back victories for the first time this season, climbing to 14th on 30 points.

Their most recent outing was particularly impressive, as they dismantled VfL Bochum 4-1. Lubambo Musonda and Baris Atik struck in the first half to put them in control, before the in-form Mateusz Żukowski added a second-half brace. His tally of 15 league goals now makes him the division’s top scorer.

The reverse fixture in November was a tight affair, settled by an early Sebastian Klaas strike in Paderborn’s favour. History also leans towards the hosts - Magdeburg have not won away in Paderborn since 2002, when both sides were competing in Germany’s fourth tier.

Home form could once again be decisive. Paderborn are unbeaten in five matches at the Home Deluxe Arena in 2026, winning four of them. Magdeburg’s away record, while respectable with three wins from five, remains inconsistent, particularly defensively, with 11 goals conceded across those fixtures.

Team news

SC Paderborn 07: Anton Bäuerle and Marcel Hoffmeier remain sidelined through injury, while Santiago Castaneda serves a suspension.

1. FC Magdeburg: Samuel Loric, Daniel Heber and Noah Kruth are all unavailable. Luka Hyryläinen and Tarek Chahed have returned to light training but are not yet ready for match involvement.

Predicted lineups

SC Paderborn 07 (3-4-2-1): Seimen (GK) - Brackelmann, Götze, Scheller - Curda, Baur, Hansen, Obermair - Müller, Marino - Klaas

1. FC Magdeburg (4-3-3): Reimann (GK) - Bockhorn, Mathisen, Müller, Musonda - Gnaka, Ulrich, Michel - Tachie, Żukowski, Atik