SC Paderborn - Union Berlin

Paderborn to stop Union Berlin’s fine run

TEAM NEWS

Steffen Baumgart has a fully fit Paderborn team to choose from. The only unavailable players are Massih Wassey with a back injury and Sven Michel with an Achilles issue while Klaus Gjasula will miss the game against Union Berlin after his fifth yellow card.

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon and Fabian Schonheim.

Paderborn

Suspended: Klaus Gjasula

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (back), Sven Michel (Achilles)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: 

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Fabian Schonheim (not fit)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn have made a good start to life back in Germany’s second tier, winning four of their first nine league matches thus far, with only Hamburg, St. Pauli and Cologne claiming more victories. Paderborn have also drawn three and have just been beaten twice this term. At Benteler Arena, Paderborn are still unbeaten, having won two and drawn two of their four home league matches. The side are coming off a 2-1 away win over rock-bottom Ingolstadt.

Only one team in this division – Magdeburg (six) – have drawn more league games than Union Berlin (five) so far. Urs Fischer’s troops won four of the other nine league matches and their strong unbeaten start means they are sitting in second place with only two points separating them from leaders Cologne. Union Berlin also have the best defence with only seven goals conceded. They were lucky not to have suffered their first defeat of the season last time out as they drew 1-1 at home with Heidenheim, scoring the equaliser in stoppage time.

Paderborn will see this one as a great opportunity to be the first team who beat Union Berlin this season. They are in very good shape at the moment and this will be a big fight on Sunday. Expect a very close league game but home advantage should prevail, with Paderborn claiming a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – PADERBORN

Paderborn have opened the scoring in their last four league games. They will be hoping for a fast start against unbeaten Union Berlin at Benteler Arena and I'm backing them to score the opening goal.

HEAD TO HEAD

Paderborn and Union Berlin last met in league action in the 2015-16 season. Back then, Paderborn won 2-0 away from home and lost 4-0 on home turf.