GERMAN 2.BUNDESLIGA BETTING PREVIEW - SCHALKE 04 VS SC PADERBORN

German 2.Bundesliga

2025-05-02 - Schalke 04 vs SC Paderborn

A Sports Betting Preview by Niko

Schalke 04 v SC Paderborn
Football; Germany: 2. Bundesliga
Veltins Arena – Gelsenkirchen
Friday, 02nd May 2025 - kickoff 18:30 CET

Schalke 04

Schalke 04 is on a poor run of three winless games (two losses), but they are safe. With three games remaining, Schalke 04 is nine points above the relegation zone, with a (slightly) better goal difference than the bottom three.

Perhaps one point, just in case, will motivate Schalke 04 to fight harder in their remaining three chances, but the chances for them to finish in the bottom three are microscopic.

Anyway, Schalke 04 lost 2-1 to Bundesliga contenders Kaiserslautern last week, and now they await another promotion contender. Interestingly, they remained unbeaten in four of their last five 2.Bundesliga duels against SC Paderborn, beating them three times. That also includes a 2-4 away win in their first duel earlier this season.

Games with a lot of goals have been a characteristic of Schalke 04’s recent fixtures. There were 3+ scored in six of their last seven league games.

SC Paderborn

SC Paderborn drew 1-1 against promotion rivals SV Elversberg last week, their second successive unbeaten match. With three games left, they are just a point behind the third spot, so they must win all their last three matches — and win them convincingly — as they have a worse goal difference than the currently third Magdeburg and fourth SV Elversberg.

Next week, they have a direct duel against Magdeburg, which might be decisive for the third Bundesliga promotion playoff spot. But first, they must beat out-of-form Schalke 04.

SC Paderborn’s recent away performances have been mostly solid. They have remained unbeaten in five of their last six away matches, recording three wins and two draws.

The Betting Verdict

Schalke 04 is (almost) safe. However, all their last three games of the season are against top teams battling for promotion, which gives them an unsettling feeling, as their goal difference is terrible.

SC Paderborn has no other option. They must win this match before facing direct Bundesliga contenders Magdeburg next week. If they fail here, they would need more than a miracle to finish third in the end.

Now is the time to rise, and I expect SC Paderborn to battle hard for the three points in this match. Take the away win here at good odds.

The Pick :

Schalke 04 1-2 SC Paderborn

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take SC Paderborn to win at odds of 2.20 with Bet365