Match Preview: Paderborn vs. Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV will be looking to extend their impressive winning streak when they face Paderborn in the Bundesliga. After a difficult start to the season, Hamburg have found their form, while Paderborn are still searching for consistency.
Hamburger SV’s Resurgence
Merlin Polzin’s Hamburger SV side endured a disastrous start to their Bundesliga campaign, losing their first three matches by a combined scoreline of 12-0. However, they have shown remarkable character to turn their season around, securing three consecutive victories.
This impressive run began with a 2-1 home win against FC Köln, followed by a dramatic 3-2 away victory over Hoffenheim. Their most recent success saw them clinch a 1-0 home win against Stuttgart, with Miro Muheim scoring an 88th-minute winner. This result also marked their first clean sheet of the Bundesliga season. Currently, Hamburg sit in ninth place, just one point adrift of the top six.
Paderborn’s Mixed Start
Paderborn, returning to the Bundesliga for the first time since the 2019-20 season, have had a sluggish start. Ralf Kettemann’s team managed only one point from their opening three league fixtures. They then secured a much-needed 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim.
However, Paderborn have struggled to build on that result. They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Stuttgart after the international break and then drew 2-2 with Werder Bremen in their last away match. Despite taking a 2-0 lead through Stefano Marino and Steffen Tigges, a second-half brace from Niclas Füllkrug forced Paderborn to settle for a point, leaving them in the relegation playoff spot.
Team News
Paderborn will be without Oliver Batista Meier, Timur Gayret, and Marcel Hoffmeier due to injury. While Sebastian Klaas and Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant have returned to training, they are not yet ready for competitive action.
For Hamburger SV, midfielder Nicolai Remberg is a significant absentee. He is likely to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier this month.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Paderborn have had the upper hand in recent encounters against Hamburger SV, prevailing in three of their last four meetings. This includes a 2-0 success in their most recent 2.Bundesliga encounter. Hamburger SV will be aiming to break this trend, as their last victory against Paderborn was a 3-2 away win in October 2022.