- Home form: SC Paderborn 07 have won 10, drawn two and lost four home matches in the 2. Bundesliga (W1, L1 in their last two).
- Away form: Karlsruher SC have won three, drawn four and lost nine of their away matches in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Top scorer: Filip Bilbija has scored 14 goals in 27 league matches in 2025-26 for Paderborn.
Paderborn can get back on track against Karlsruhe
Paderborn are fourth in the 2. Bundesliga after taking 58 points from 32 games and their automatic promotion target will be in their sights if they can beat Karlsruher SC on Friday night. KSC, who have 43 points in 32 games, are having a respectable season in eighth place and will be trying to secure a top-half finish with a good result here.
Form and recent results
Paderborn come into the game in mixed form after a 2-1-2 run in their last five, while KSC are also 2-3 over their previous five. Paderborn are on a 2-match losing streak, including a heavy 5-1 away defeat to Elversberg, and KSC ended a two-game losing streak by beating Darmstadt 2-1 at home last weekend.
Bilbija has five goals in his last five games and can help Paderborn to a high-scoring win
In their last five head-to-heads, both teams have two wins each and one draw, but Paderborn lost their previous two home meetings with KSC. Paderborn boss Ralf Kettemann has been in charge of the club since July 2025 and his 3-4-2-1 system is built on building from the back, overloading the wide areas, triangles and positional play.
Tactical outlook
KSC’s 4-4-2 base formation provides the flexibility for Christian Eichner, who has been coach since 2020, to vary his formations, although he always prioritises a compact, organised shape, shape-first possession and an experienced midfield engine.
Paderborn have conceded 25 goals in 16 home league games this season, so there are gaps in their defenses to be exploited. Eichner’s compact, pragmatic style and Kettemann’s wide-based system should provide a good tactical contrast for what is likely to be a closely fought game. We think Paderborn’s home advantage should be enough for them to edge out their visitors in a high-scoring game, although KSC will score too.
Key points
Filip Bilbija is Paderborn’s main goal threat, with 14 goals in 27 appearances this term, while Marvin Wanitzek is the KSC’s main man with 15 goals in 32. Backing Bilbija to score any time on Friday looks a wise move given the game is likely to feature goals at both ends as Paderborn are desperate to get back to winning ways.
- Bilbija has five goals in his last five games and can help Paderborn to a high-scoring win
- Paderborn have conceded 25 goals in 16 home league games this season, so there are gaps in their defenses to be exploited.
