2. Bundesliga Topspiel preview: Hannover 96 vs. SC Paderborn 07 | OneFootball

With both sides currently occupying places in the top three, Saturday’s clash in Hannover offers a huge opportunity at the top end of the table. The hosts have the chance to close the gap on the automatic promotion spots, while the visitors could pull further clear in their push for the Bundesliga. With so much at stake at this decisive stage of the season, tension is set to be high under the lights.

Hannover have been in excellent form since the turn of the year, losing just two of their 12 league matches in 2026. That run has reignited their promotion charge, with the Lower Saxony side now sitting in third place, one point clear of fourth-placed Elversberg.

They took a significant step forward last weekend with an impressive statement win away to fellow promotion contenders Darmstadt. Christian Titz’s side delivered a disciplined and professional performance, with goals from Maurice Neubauer and Stefan Teitur Thórdarson in either half sealing a 2-0 victory in last week’s Topspiel.

Titz is under no illusions about the importance of Saturday’s encounter:

“We’re playing at home, our stadium is sold out – and we know that three points will allow us to close the gap further. Everyone is aware of what’s at stake.”

Paderborn, however, arrive in even stronger form. They are unbeaten in their last nine matches and currently rank among the league’s most in-form sides, collecting 11 points from their last five outings. They sit second in the table, just one point behind leaders Schalke.

Last weekend, they edged a thrilling encounter against relegation-threatened Magdeburg. In a remarkable game, Paderborn took the lead three times through a Filip Bilbija hat-trick, only to be pegged back on each occasion. Ultimately, Bilbija completed his four-goal haul to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory, taking his tally to 14 goals for the season.

Head coach Ralf Kettemann is embracing the occasion:

“We have a good mix of a relaxed atmosphere and increasing tension. We want to deliver a strong performance in Hannover.”

Hannover claimed the reverse fixture back in November, with Benjamin Källman netting a brace in a 2-0 win. Paderborn, meanwhile, have not won away in Hannover since 2023.

Home and away form suggests a tightly balanced contest. Hannover have lost just one of their six home matches in 2026, while Paderborn have suffered only two defeats from six away games over the same period.

Team news

Hannover 96: Boris Tomiak, Mail Nawrocki and Benedikt Pichler are unavailable due to injury. 

SC Paderborn 07: Marcel Hoffmeier and Anton Bäuerle are unavailable due to injury, while Mattes Hansen is suspended after accumulating yellow cards. Santiago Castaneda returns from suspension.

Predicted lineups

Hannover 96 (3-4-3): Noll (GK) - Allgeier, Ghiță, Okon - Aseko Nkili, Leopold, Thórdarson, Neubauer - Yokota, Källman, Taibi 

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