Form and Line-up of Paderborn 07
For the Dark Blues the first play-off match was extremely nervous. They completely gave the ball to Wolfsburg, abandoning positional attacks. By the final whistle Kettenmann's team had collected only 0.10 xG with one shot on target, and 37% possession became a telling figure for one of the strongest clubs in the 2. Bundesliga. Paderborn 07 clearly faded at the end of the season.
Key numbers of Paderborn 07:
Since October the Dark Blues have conceded in every home match.
Paderborn 07 have won only one of their last six games.
Paderborn 07 have conceded 27 goals in 17 home matches in the 2. Bundesliga — the worst record in the top six.
Probable Paderborn 07 line-up (3-4-2-1): Dennis Seimen — Calvin Brackelmann, Tjark Scheller, Mattes Hansen — Nick Batzner, Santiago Castaneda, Philipp Bilbija, Laurin Curda — Sebastian Klaas, Ruben Muller — Stefano Marino.
Absentees: Jona Sticke (suspension), Raphael Obermair, Marcel Hoffmeier (both injured).
Form and Line-up of Wolfsburg
Despite the missed scoring chances, the Wolves calmly dominated and controlled the game. Yes, they still failed to score and the intrigue in the play-off tie remained, but Hecking's team showed the system in their football. Wolfsburg accumulated 1.49 xG and took 17 shots. The Greens much more often found themselves in the opposition's final quarter — 24:13 in touches in the opponents' penalty area.
Key numbers of Wolfsburg:
Away from home the Wolves have taken 19 of their total 29 points.
Under Hecking Wolfsburg have suffered only one away defeat in five matches.
Wolfsburg have always beaten Paderborn 07 on their pitch (2:0, 3:1 and 4:2).
Probable Wolfsburg line-up (3-1-4-2): Kamil Grabara — Konstantinos Koulierakis, Denis Vavro, Jeanuel Belocian — Mattias Svanberg — Christian Eriksen, Yannick Gerhardt, Joakim Maehle, Sael Kumbedi — Adam Daghim, Jenan Pejcinovic.
Absentees: Rogerio, Patrick Wimmer, Maximilian Arnold, Kilian Fischer, Jonas Wind, Jenson Selt, Bence Dardai (all injured).
