09-20Vitoria de Guimaraes-MoreirenseUnder 2.5 Goals@ 1.92✓
09-20Santa Clara-BragaUnder 2.5 Goals@ 1.59✓
Paderborn
3-5-2
● Confirmed
30
⚽↓73′
Marino
18
↓46′
Pieringer
23
↓63′
Obermair
40
↓73′
Vidovic
5
⚽
Castaneda
28
Ulrich
17
Curda
22
↓75′
Hansen
25
Scheller
21
ter Horst
15
Noll
Bench (13)
Steffen Tigges ↑46′⚽ · Jonah Sticker ↑63′ · Tom Baack ↑73′ · Rayan Philippe ↑73′ · Felix Goetze ↑75′ · Markus Schubert · Ruben Mueller · Sven Michel · Deniz Zeitler · Sven Michel · Sebastian Klaas · Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant · Timur Gayret
Coach · Ralf Kettemann
Match Preview
Paderborn vs Hoffenheim Match Preview
AI-written editorial preview · updated 2026-09-18 18:05 UTC
Paderborn and Hoffenheim clash at Home Deluxe Arena
Sunday evening at the Home Deluxe Arena, Paderborn and Hoffenheim meet for matchday 4 of the Bundesliga. Both sides arrive looking to establish momentum in the early stages of the domestic campaign.
Expected tactical setups
For the hosts, the expected XI features Nahuel Noll in goal behind a defensive unit of Jano ter Horst, Tjark Scheller, Mattes Hansen, and Laurin Curda. The midfield is set to be anchored by Santiago Castaneda, Laurin Ulrich, and Raphael Obermair, with a forward line consisting of Stefano Marino, Marvin Pieringer, and Gabriel Vidovic.
Hoffenheim are expected to look to Oliver Baumann in goal, protected by a back four of Vladimir Coufal, Ozan Kabak, Albian Hajdari, and Mats Rots. Wouter Burger, Leon Avdullahu, and Bambase Conte should form the midfield engine room, tasked with supporting a front three of Adam Hlozek, Adam Daghim, and Tim Lemperle.
Paderborn's search for a spark
Paderborn have endured a challenging start to their Bundesliga season, currently seeking their first win of the campaign. Following a difficult 3-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund and a tight 1-0 defeat at home to Freiburg, the side will be eager to find their rhythm in front of their own supporters.
Despite the recent league results, the team displayed their attacking capabilities in the DFB Pokal late last month with a 4-2 victory over 1. FC Phoenix Luebeck. Managerial focus will likely be on tightening a defensive structure that has been tested by top-tier opposition in recent weeks.
Hoffenheim's mixed early form
Hoffenheim arrive at the Home Deluxe Arena following a demanding schedule that has seen them balance domestic duties with European commitments. Their most recent outing was a 2-0 loss to OFI Crete in the Europa League, a result that followed a morale-boosting 2-1 Bundesliga win over VfB Stuttgart.
Consistency has been a hurdle for the visitors, who have experienced high-scoring encounters throughout their recent run. While they have shown they can find the net, as evidenced by their four-goal haul against Erzgebirge Aue in the DFB Pokal, they will be keen to avoid the defensive lapses that saw them concede three goals against Borussia Dortmund earlier this month.
Historical context and the path forward
Matches between these two clubs have historically been tight affairs. In their last Bundesliga meeting back in May 2020, the sides played out a 1-1 draw, a result that highlights the competitive nature of this fixture.
As the league enters its fourth matchday, the stakes are clear for both teams. For Paderborn, the match represents an opportunity to climb the table, while Hoffenheim will aim to bounce back from their midweek European disappointment and secure points on the road.
Hoffenheim
4-4-2
● Confirmed
9
↓62′
Moerstedt
10
↓62′
Hlozek
14
⚽↓80′
Daghim
18
Burger
7
↓80′
Avdullahu
20
Conte
39
↓46′
Rots
28
Machida
5
Kabak
34
Coufal
1
Baumann
Bench (10)
Albian Hajdari ↑46′ · Patrick Wimmer ↑62′ · Tim Lemperle ↑62′ · Fisnik Asllani ↑80′ · Andrej Kramaric ↑80′ · Robin Hranac · Valentin Gendrey · Nathan De Cat · Luca Philipp · Bernardo
Coach · Christian Ilzer
Confirmed by FIFA officials.
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