2. Bundesliga preview: 1. FC Kaiserslautern vs. SC Paderborn | OneFootball

1. FC Kaiserslautern

A campaign that promised much has instead delivered frustration for Kaiserslautern. After 23 matchdays, FCK find themselves sixth, seven points adrift of the top three and with pre-season promotion ambitions hanging by a thread as the margin for error continues to shrink.

There are, however, signs of life. Two consecutive victories have injected belief, most recently a dramatic 3-2 success away at Preußen Münster. A Marlon Ritter brace, followed by Norman Bassette’s strike just before half-time, proved decisive as the Red Devils claimed their first away league win since October.

Head coach Torsten Lieberknecht views Saturday’s clash as a chance to close the gap on a direct rival:

"It’s an opportunity to chase down an opponent who isn't far behind in the standings. Everything is so tight in the Second Bundesliga, and anyone can beat anyone." 

The Betzenberg has largely remained a stronghold, with Kaiserslautern winning four of their last six home league fixtures. That said, Paderborn have proven a stubborn opponent, with FCK winless against them since 2024. Historically, Lieberknecht has enjoyed some success in this matchup, winning nine of his 17 meetings with Paderborn.

Team news: Marlon Ritter is suspended while Ivan Prtajin, Maxwell Gyamfi and Jacob Rasmussen are injured. 

Predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Krahl (GK) - J-S Kim, Sirch, Robinson - Joly, Şahin, Kunze, Haas - Hanslik, Skyttä - Bassette 

SC Paderborn

Paderborn are navigating an inconsistent spell of their own in the relentless promotion race. Three wins from their last five have kept them competitive, but a draw and a defeat mixed into that run leave them fourth - just one point shy of the top three.

Their most recent outing was among their most impressive of the season. Ralf Kettemann’s side dismantled Hertha BSC 5-2 at the Home Deluxe Arena, with five different scorers contributing to a dominant team display that underlined their attacking depth and kept pressure on those above them.

Kettemann is keen to see that level repeated on Saturday:

“We have to be extremely vigilant because anything can happen. It's important that we withstand their intensity and gain confidence through possession.” 

Paderborn will draw confidence from the reverse fixture, a 2-0 victory in September courtesy of goals from Filip Bilbija and Laurin Curda. However, their away form remains a concern, with just one win from their last five on the road - an area they will need to address at a notoriously hostile Betzenberg.

Team news: Marcel Hoffmeier, Anton Bäuerle, and Sebastian Klaas will be unavailable while Filip Bilbija is unlikely to start despite returning to the squad. 

Predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Seimen (GK) - Scheller, Götze, Brackelmann - Curda, Baur, Castaneda, Obermair - Müller, Bätzner - Marino