Hertha Berlin — Paderborn 07 : Match Preview and Prediction for September 20,2025

Hertha Berlin’s Recent Performance

Hertha Berlin finally secured their first victory of the season in the last round, impressively defeating league leaders Hannover 3-0 away from home. However, the scoreline can be deceiving. This outcome was primarily a result of incredibly efficient finishing, with three shots on target converting into three goals, rather than an indication of overwhelming attacking strength. A crucial factor behind this success was coach Stefan Leitl’s tactical overhaul, as he switched to a four-defender formation.

Defensive Improvements

This new system has significantly bolstered the team’s defensive solidity. The statistics clearly illustrate this improvement: the Berlin side has kept three clean sheets in five matchdays, equalling a club record for this stage of the season. Their defense has undeniably improved, which is particularly vital given their ongoing struggles in attack.

Home Form and Attacking Woes

Conversely, Hertha’s home form has been disastrous. In two matches at the Olympiastadion, the team has failed to score a single goal, drawing 0-0 with Karlsruhe and losing 0-2 to Elversberg – a genuine home crisis. Across five league fixtures, ‘Die Alte Dame’ has scored only four goals, placing them second to last in the league for this metric. The underlying statistics further highlight their offensive issues: Hertha ranks last in the league for shots on target.

Paderborn’s Defensive Prowess

Paderborn enters this fixture boasting one of the strongest defenses in the 2. Bundesliga. The team has conceded just four goals in five matches, which equals their club record. This is the second-best defensive record in the league, only behind Karlsruhe, a testament to their robust backline.

Recent Defensive Form

In their last two league outings, Paderborn has kept consecutive clean sheets, securing a 1-0 victory over Bochum and a 0-0 draw against Nuremberg. The team has clearly found its defensive rhythm. Coach Ralf Kettemann has implemented a highly organized and disciplined defensive structure that promises to be exceptionally difficult to penetrate.

Offensive Struggles Despite Chances

However, Paderborn’s attack has not been particularly prolific. While they lead the league in creating scoring opportunities, they also top the charts for missed chances. This highlights significant issues with their finishing. Having scored only five goals in five matches, Paderborn doesn’t appear to be a team capable of producing a goal-fest, especially when facing an opponent that has recently found defensive stability.