The first leg between these two sides ended in a dull 0-0 stalemate and that result has left everything wide open for the return clash. In the Bundesliga playoff decider the winner takes the spot in the top flight next season so the stakes could not be higher. Wolfsburg had their home crowd behind them yet could not find the net and now they must deliver on the road if they want to avoid heartbreak. Paderborn on the other hand will head into the second leg with renewed belief after keeping a clean sheet away from home and they know a famous result could write their name in the history books.
Team Form
- Wolfsburg have lost just once in their last six outings and that defeat came against champions Bayern Munich.
- The Wolves have managed only two wins in that same stretch which shows they are not firing on all cylinders.
- Paderborn have done the hard part by not shipping goals in the first leg and their defensive shape looks solid.
- Historically Paderborn have never beaten Wolfsburg so any success this week would be a massive breakthrough for the club and the fans.
Tactical Analysis
Dieter Hecking has worked wonders with the Wolfsburg squad by lifting spirits and giving the players extra belief after they were put together for European nights. The quality in their ranks is clear on paper but turning that into goals has been the problem. Paderborn will look to sit compact and hit on the break especially if an early goal arrives which could open the game up completely. Both teams have attacking options that can trouble defences so expect more action than the cagey first leg produced.
The visitors know they must score at least once to stand any chance while Wolfsburg will be desperate to avoid another blank in front of goal. Strengths for the home side lie in their technical ability and set piece threat while Paderborn bring organisation and the hunger of underdogs. Weaknesses include Wolfsburgs recent lack of cutting edge and Paderborns limited experience at this level.
Betting Proposal
With the pressure mounting and both sides needing a result the game is likely to open up. An early goal would change the mood quickly and create spaces for the attacking players to exploit. The smart money is on action at both ends of the pitch rather than another low scoring affair.
Both teams to score yes at odds of 1.72 stands out as the value type here.
