Borussia Mönchengladbach seek a lift against Paderborn

Gladbach need points to climb

Borussia Mönchengladbach’s recent run has been difficult: they have lost six of seven Bundesliga matches, leaving them 18th with three points. They return to Borussia-Park on Saturday looking for the result that could start a climb up the standings. SC Paderborn 07 are 13th on eight points after seven games, so there is ground for Gladbach to make up.

The contrast is clear in the table, but the hosts have shown they can score. Their 11 goals are almost twice Paderborn’s six, even as their defensive record has been a major concern.

Goals and defensive problems

Gladbach have won only once this season, and their last five matches brought eight goals scored but 15 conceded. They have also yet to keep a clean sheet in the league. At home, they have conceded 10 goals in three games, making defensive improvement essential if they are to turn their attacking threat into points.

Paderborn’s last five have been more balanced: six goals for and eight against. They have two wins and two draws from seven league matches, though their away record includes two draws and a defeat in three outings. That gives Gladbach an opportunity, but the hosts cannot afford to assume their home advantage will be enough.

A mixed recent record

The latest five meetings include both Bundesliga matches and friendlies. Gladbach won the two league fixtures, 2-0 at home in December 2019 and 3-1 away in June 2020. The teams also exchanged wins in friendlies, while their most recent meeting, in July 2021, ended in a 3-1 Paderborn victory.

Absences on both sides

Gladbach will be without H. Bolin, F. Fleck, F. Honorat and T. Kleindienst through muscle injuries. K. Diks is unavailable for personal reasons, while E. Leopold and J. Leszczynski have knee injuries.

Paderborn are missing N. Awortwie-Grant, O. Batista Meier, T. Gayret, M. Hoffmeier and S. Klaas. S. Michel and G. Vidovic are listed as questionable.

Gladbach’s attack against Paderborn’s defence

Gladbach’s 11 league goals provide a platform, but their recent concessions underline the challenge: they have allowed 15 goals across their last five matches. Paderborn have been more restrained at both ends, with six scored and eight conceded in that span. The hosts will need to make their attacking edge count without leaving space for the visitors to exploit.

Our prediction

PreviaXI’s model favours a narrow Gladbach win, with home advantage and the hosts’ greater scoring output tipping the balance. Paderborn’s steadier recent form means this may be close, but Gladbach have enough attacking potential to edge it.

Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 SC Paderborn 07