SC Paderborn host TSG Hoffenheim on 20 September 2026 in a match both sides badly need to win: Paderborn sit 15th with one point from three Bundesliga games and no goals scored, while Hoffenheim, 13th on three points, have been leaking freely with seven conceded in three league games.
Ralf Kettemann, who took charge at Paderborn on 1 July 2025, faces Christian Ilzer for the first time, with Ilzer having been appointed at Hoffenheim in November 2024 to replace Pellegrino Matarazzo.
Paderborn arrive having lost their last two Bundesliga games and drawn the one before, most recently 0-3 at Borussia Dortmund on 13 September. Hoffenheim's picture isn't much cleaner: their only win came against VfB Stuttgart on 12 September (2-1) and they then dropped a 0-2 Europa League game to OFI Crete midweek, meaning their legs may well have less in them come Sunday.
Nyamekye Awortwie-Grant (knee), Timur Gayret (ACL) and Sven Michel (groin) are all out for Paderborn, leaving Marvin Pieringer as the only natural striker available. Laurin Curda has returned to training and should be in the squad, with Raphael Obermair continuing as the main creative outlet from wing back. Hoffenheim are without Bernardo through an Achilles injury, leaving Hlozek, already with two goals this season and Adam Daghim to lead the attack, with Ozan Kabak organising a backline that has shipped more than its fair share already.
Paderborn's 3-5-2 is built on high pressing but losing Awortwie-Grant, Gayret and Michel at once means Pieringer carries the attacking burden alone, holding the ball up and linking play with less support than Kettemann would want. Obermair's overlapping runs from wing back are liable to drag Hoffenheim's right side out of position, which is probably Paderborn's clearest route to goal. The concern is that without experienced midfield cover, the space between Paderborn's lines when the press is bypassed becomes a real problem. Ilzer favours 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 shapes built on quick combinations that pull defences apart and Hlozek dropping between the lines will test Paderborn's centre backs consistently, with Daghim's pace in behind making it a two pronged threat. Sustaining the press is the key question for Paderborn, because Hlozek's movement into space and Daghim's pace behind a high back three is precisely the combination that exposes a defensive line caught out of shape.
Hoffenheim have not lost in their last four meetings with Paderborn winning two of those four.
Both sides have been leaking goals from dead ball situations early in the season. Pieringer gives Paderborn an aerial option from corners but Hoffenheim's delivery into the box from wide will test a three man defence already operating short handed.
A Hoffenheim backline that has conceded seven times in three games is the right opponent for Paderborn to finally open their account against and they have been creating chances without converting. But Hoffenheim's midweek trip to Crete is a genuine factor: they played 90 minutes there, flew back with a defeat and arrive here short on recovery time. Hlozek and Daghim are good enough to score twice regardless and the more credible scenario is Hoffenheim edging it in the second half as Paderborn's press fades and Daghim's pace catches a tiring back three behind the last line. Hoffenheim 2-1.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
