SC Paderborn - Arminia Bielefeld

Paderborn to make it back-to-back wins

TEAM NEWS

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team to choose from. 

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury, while Roberto Massimo has problems with his thigh and will be out for the upcoming weeks. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is another player who is unavailable with a pulled muscle, while Sven Schipplock and Cedric Brunner both have knee problems and have been ruled out too. Joan Simun Edmundsson is suspended.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Bielefeld

Suspended: Joan Simun Edmundsson

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Roberto Massimo (thigh), Joan Simun Edmundsson (ligament), Stefan Ortega (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn picked up a precious three points last weekend, thrashing Heidenheim 5-1 away at the Voith Arena. It was only Paderborn’s third league victory since mid-September, having lost two and drawn four since. Nevertheless, the newly-promoted side remain in an excellent position in Germany’s second-tier table, sitting in seventh, just three points off third-placed Union Berlin and the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

Bielefeld have had a disappointing two months, accumulating only one point from their last seven league games. After losing five league matches in a row, the team clinched an important point in a 1-1 draw away at bottom side Ingolstadt two weeks ago, but they lost 1-0 to Duisburg at Schuco Arena last time out. Nevertheless, Jeff Saibene’s men remain in 14^thin the table, but they are still only three points above the drop zone.

Paderborn are still unbeaten at home with two wins and five draws, and I believe they will edge this league match given Bielefeld's inability to win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Both of Paderborn's last two home league matches have seen a plethora of total goals, averaging seven, with the side scoring the same number of goals themselves. I can see plenty of total goals in this clash at Benteler Arena, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only four times so far in league action at Paderborn, with both teams winning twice.