2. Bundesliga Friday preview | OneFootball

Schalke 04 vs. SC Paderborn

Schalke enter the weekend sitting second, with only Friday’s opponents ahead of them. Despite their strong position, Miron Muslic’s side have hit a slight stumble, taking just one win from their last three and allowing the teams behind them to pull closer.

Last weekend’s 0-0 draw away to Münster was particularly disappointing. Even after gaining a man advantage for the final 35 minutes, Schalke struggled to create anything meaningful and travelled home frustrated by a blunt attacking display.

Paderborn, meanwhile, have been the division’s form team for weeks. They had rattled off eight straight victories before last weekend’s defeat and still top the table with a narrow one-point cushion heading into a game that already feels significant.

Their 2-0 home loss to Hannover brought their momentum to a halt. Ralf Kettemann’s side were outplayed for long stretches, giving the coach plenty to think about as he prepares for a demanding trip to Gelsenkirchen.

The sides shared the spoils last season, each winning their away fixture, including Paderborn’s 2-0 success at the Veltins-Arena in May. They remain unbeaten on the road this campaign.

Team news:

Schalke 04: Timo Becker, Christian Gomis, Tomas Kalas, Peter Remmert and Emil Højlund remain sidelined. Adrian Gantenbein is a doubt, while Vitalie Becker returns from suspension.

SC Paderborn: Marcel Hoffmeier and Ruben Müller are out. Calvin Brackelmann faces a late fitness test after returning to full training.

Predicted lineups:Schalke 04 (3-4-2-1): Karius (GK); Ayhan, Katić, Kuruçay; V. Becker, Schallenberg, El-Faouzi, Porath; Wallentowitz, Karaman; Sylla

SC Paderborn (3-4-2-1): Seimen (GK); Hansen, Götze, Scheller; Curda, Castaneda, Engelns, Obermair; Klaas, Bilbija; Tigges

Hannover 96 vs. Karlsruher SC

Hannover are enjoying a promising start under Christian Titz. While results have fluctuated in recent weeks, they remain firmly in the promotion mix, sitting fifth and just four points off the automatic places.

Their performance last weekend was one of their strongest of the season, earning a superb 2–0 win away to league leaders Paderborn. Titz’s tactical approach worked to perfection as Hannover defended compactly, bypassed Paderborn’s usually relentless press and struck clinically on the counter, with the in-form Benjamin Källman scoring both goals.

Karlsruher have endured an up-and-down campaign under Christian Eichner. They currently occupy eighth place, only five points off third, but have struggled to build sustained momentum since cooling off from their bright start.

Those inconsistencies resurfaced last weekend in a 3-2 home defeat to Elversberg. Despite twice coming from behind, KSC never truly settled into the game and were punished by Felix Keidel’s 94th-minute winner, marking their third defeat in five matches.

Last season’s meetings were split, although Karlsruher haven’t won in Hannover since 1988. The managerial head-to-head between Titz and Eichner stands at two wins for Eichner, three draws and one victory for Titz.

Team news:

Hannover 96: Maurice Neubauer and Dennis Husser are unavailable.

Karlsruher SC: Louey Ben Farhat and Lilian Egloff remain long-term absentees. Dzenis Burnic and Nicolas Rapp are doubtful, and Christoph Kobald is suspended.

Predicted lineups:

Hannover 96 (3-4-3): Noll (GK); Ghiță, Tomiak, Nawrocki; Matsuda, Aséko Nkili, Leopold, Oudenne; Yokota, Källman, Bundu

Karlsruher SC (3-3-2-2): Bernat (GK); Franke, Rapp, Beifus; Pinto Pedrosa, Müller, Herold; Förster, Wanitzek; Šimić, Schleusener